Anchor Base For Chain Tie Down Assembly

ABSTRACT

A universal chain tie down assembly includes an anchor base and an associated turret, with a cannon pivotally connected to the turret. The proximal portion of a tensioning rod is associated with the cannon. The tensioning rod further includes a distal portion associated with a hub, along with a tool attachment portion that is configured for engagement by a tool for rotation of the tensioning rod. First and second arms of a constant tensioning device extend from proximal ends associated with the hub to distal ends spaced distally of the hub. A chain is associated with a distal end of the constant tensioning device, such as by being linked to the curved portion of a U-bolt of the constant tensioning device. A tension lock assembly and/or an anti-vibration assembly may be employed to prevent a vibration-induced change in the tension in the universal chain tie down assembly.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to chain tie down assemblies for securingarticles, such as vehicles, on a railway flatcar or the like. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to universal chain tie downassemblies that are suitable for securing differently configuredarticles that are conventionally secured using differently configuredchain tie down assemblies.

Description of Related Art

Large articles or loads, such as vehicles, are commonly transported viarail. Typically, a railway flatcar is provided with a plurality ofchannels positioned within its deck. The channels may be configured toextend above the deck of the flatcar or may have a lower profile, withthe tops of the channels being substantially flush with the top of thedeck. Regardless of the height of the channels, each channel includes aplurality of notches spaced along its length (e.g., spaced approximatelythree inches apart), with each notch facing an opposing notch on theopposite side of the channel.

One or more anchor bases are partially received within each channel. Theanchor bases are configured to be positioned along the length of theassociated channel (to accommodate differently sized articles), withupwardly extending protrusions of an anchor base being received innotches of the channel. When an anchor base has been properlypositioned, an anchor lock is employed to retain the anchor base inposition, with a rod of the anchor lock overhanging the channel toprevent the anchor base from falling into the channel.

The configuration of the anchor base and the associated chain tie downassembly will vary depending on whether they are to be used to secure asmaller article (e.g., an agricultural vehicle, such as a tractor) or alarger article (e.g., a military vehicle, such as a tank). For a smallerload, a winch may be associated with the anchor base. The winch may berotatably or pivotally associated with the anchor base to allow thewinch to be rotated about a vertical axis with respect to the anchorbase, which allows for the winch to be properly oriented with respect toan article to be secured to the flatcar.

A length of ⅜″ chain (having a minimum breaking strength ofapproximately 36,000 pounds) extends from the winch, with an oppositeend of the chain being secured to a constant tensioning device, whichallows for shock absorption of impacts and, in the event of load shift,allows the chain tie down assembly to retain at least some amount oftension. The constant tensioning device may be variously configured,with an exemplary constant tensioning device being described in U.S.Pat. No. 3,402,925, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Aconventional constant tensioning device includes a pair of endcaps, withan intermediate cap positioned therebetween. Spring elements (e.g., coilsprings or urethane or rubber inserts) are positioned between eachendcap and the intermediate cap. A pair of U-bolts extends through thecaps and the spring elements, with the U-bolts facing in oppositedirections and oriented at a 90° angle with respect to each other. Oneof the U-bolts is associated with the chain extending from the winch,while the other U-bolt is associated with a second chain, which istypically longer than the chain extending from the winch. When tensionis applied to the chain tie down assembly (e.g., by operating the winchafter securing the assembly to an article), the spring elements arecompressed, which brings the endcaps closer to the intermediate cap.

The second chain extends from the constant tensioning device to a T-hookthat is configured to be secured to the article or to be wrapped arounda portion of the article (e.g., a vehicle axle or a slot defined in theframe of a vehicle) and secured to the second chain to affix the secondchain to the article. When the second chain has been secured withrespect to the article, the winch is actuated to compress the constanttensioning device until an appropriate level of tension has been appliedto the chain tie down assembly. The minimum length of the chain tie downassembly from the anchor base to the attachment point of the article isapproximately 28″, with the length of the second chain being selected toaccommodate articles having a greater length. Accordingly, excess slackin the second chain may be taken up by a claw hook or grab hookassociated with the second chain, with claw or grab hooks typicallybeing linked to the T-hook and to the same U-bolt of the constanttensioning device as the second chain.

As for a larger load, the chain tie down assembly may omit a winch andinstead employ a turnbuckle connected to the anchor base by a hammerlockor the like. The opposite end of the turnbuckle is connected to one ofthe U-bolts of a constant tensioning device. A ½″ chain with a minimumbreaking strength of approximately 55,000-60,000 pounds is linked to theother U-bolt of the constant tensioning device. The minimum length ofthe chain tie down assembly from the anchor base to the attachment pointof the article is approximately 45″, with the length of the chain beingselected to accommodate articles having a greater length. A slidingadjustable hook is linked to the chain to take up excess slack in thechain before the turnbuckle has been actuated to apply an appropriatelevel of tension to the chain tie down assembly.

Any given flatcar will include a plurality of chain tie down assembliesconfigured to secure a smaller load or a plurality of assembliesconfigured to secure a larger load, but not both types of assemblies.This limits the types of commodities that any given railcar can carryand reduces the utility of the railcar.

SUMMARY

There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may beembodied separately or together in the devices and systems described andclaimed below. These aspects may be employed alone or in combinationwith other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and thedescription of these aspects together is not intended to preclude theuse of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspectsseparately or in different combinations as set forth in the claimsappended hereto.

In one aspect, a universal chain tie down assembly includes an anchorbase and an associated turret, with a cannon pivotally connected to theturret. A tensioning rod includes a proximal portion associated with thecannon. The tensioning rod also includes a distal portion and a toolattachment portion that is configured for engagement by a tool forrotation of the tensioning rod. The distal portion of the tensioning rodis associated with a hub. First and second arms of a constant tensioningdevice each extend between a proximal end associated with the hub and adistal end spaced distally of the hub. A chain is associated with adistal end of the constant tensioning device.

In another aspect, a chain takeup device includes a T-hook formation.

In yet another aspect, a chain tie down assembly includes an elongatedtensioning member configured to be rotated about a central axis to varythe tension in the chain tie down assembly. The chain tie down assemblyalso includes a tension lock assembly configured to be moved between anunlocked condition allowing rotation of the tensioning member about thecentral axis and a locked condition preventing rotation of thetensioning member about the central axis.

In another aspect, an anchor base for a chain tie down assembly includesa body having upwardly extending first and second supports, with a slotdefined between the first and second supports. An anchor lock includingan elongated rod is rotatably received by holes defined in each of thefirst and second supports, with there being a stop associated with therod. The rod is laterally movable with respect to the first and secondsupports to move the stop into and out of alignment with the slot. Ananti-vibration assembly is configured to be moved between an unlockedcondition allowing longitudinal movement and rotation of the rod and alocked condition limiting or preventing longitudinal movement and/orrotation of the rod to prevent the stop from being moved out ofalignment with the slot.

These and other aspects of the present subject matter are set forth inthe following detailed description of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a universal chain tie down assemblyaccording to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a body of an anchor base of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the anchor base body of FIG. 2 and anassociated anchor lock;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the anchor base of the universal chain tiedown assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is perspective view of the anchor base of FIG. 4 , with an anchorlock in an unlocked or misaligned condition;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the anchor base of FIG. 4 , with ananchor lock in an aligned condition;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the anchor base of FIG. 4 , with ananchor lock in a locked condition;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the anchor base of FIG. 4 , along withan associated turret;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the turret of FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is a perspective of the anchor base of FIG. 4 , along with analternative embodiment of an associated turret;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the turret of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cannon, tensioning rod, and hub ofthe universal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 1 , with the cannon shownin section;

FIG. 13 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 14 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 1 , with a tensioning rod in afully extended condition;

FIG. 15 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 1 , with a tensioning rod in afully compressed condition;

FIG. 16 is a side or elevational view of a portion of the universalchain tie down assembly of FIG. 1 in a stowed condition, with atensioning rod in a fully compressed condition;

FIG. 17 is a side or elevational view of a portion of the universalchain tie down assembly of FIG. 1 in a stowed condition, with atensioning rod in a fully extended condition;

FIG. 18 is an elevational view of the universal chain tie down assemblyof FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cannonsuitable for incorporation into universal chain tie down assembliesaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of acannon suitable for incorporation into universal chain tie downassemblies according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the cannon of FIG. 20 and an associatedtensioning rod, with the cannon shown in section;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a universal chaintie down assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an anchor base of the universal chaintie down assembly of FIG. 22 , along with an associated turret;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the turret of FIG. 23 ;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a cannon, tensioning rod, and hub ofthe universal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 22 , with the cannon shownin section;

FIG. 26 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 22 ;

FIG. 27 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 22 , with a tensioning rod ina fully extended condition;

FIG. 28 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 22 , with a tensioning rod ina fully compressed condition;

FIG. 29 is an elevational view of the universal chain tie down assemblyof FIG. 22 ;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a universal chaintie down assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a cannon of the universal chain tiedown assembly of FIG. 30 ;

FIG. 32 is a perspective, partial sectional view of the tensioning rodof the universal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 30 ;

FIG. 33 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 30 ;

FIG. 34 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 30 , with a tensioning rod ina fully extended condition;

FIG. 35 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 30 , with a tensioning rod ina fully compressed condition;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a universal chaintie down assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a cannon of the universal chain tiedown assembly of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 38 is a perspective, partial sectional view of the tensioning rodof the universal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 39 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 40 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 36 , with a tensioning rod ina fully extended condition;

FIG. 41 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 36 , with a tensioning rod ina fully compressed condition;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a universal chaintie down assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 43 is a perspective, sectional view of a tensioning rod of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 42 ;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a hub of the universal chain tie downassembly of FIG. 42 ;

FIG. 45 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 42 ;

FIG. 46 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 42 , with a tensioning rod ina fully extended condition;

FIG. 47 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 42 , with a tensioning rod ina fully compressed condition;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a universal chaintie down assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a tensioning rod of the universal chaintie down assembly of FIG. 48 ;

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of a cannon of the universal chain tiedown assembly of FIG. 48 ;

FIG. 51 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 48 ;

FIG. 52 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 48 , with a tensioning rod ina fully extended condition;

FIG. 53 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of theuniversal chain tie down assembly of FIG. 48 , with a tensioning rod ina fully compressed condition;

FIG. 54 is perspective view of a portion of a universal chain tie downassembly according to the present disclosure, with a T-hook associatedwith a U-bolt of a constant tensioning device;

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of a portion of a universal chain tie downassembly according to the present disclosure, with a claw or grab hookincluding a T-hook formation;

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a portion of a universal chain tie downassembly according to the present disclosure, with an alternativeembodiment of a claw or grab hook including a T-hook formation;

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of a tension lock assembly suitable forincorporation into a chain tie down assembly having an elongatedtensioning member, shown in an unlocked condition;

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 57 ,shown in an intermediate condition;

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 57 ,shown in a locked condition;

FIG. 60 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tensionlock assembly suitable for incorporation into a chain tie down assemblyhaving an elongated tensioning member, shown in an unlocked conditionwith portions of the tension lock assembly broken away for illustrativepurposes;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 60 ,shown in a locked condition;

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tensionlock assembly suitable for incorporation into a chain tie down assemblyhaving an elongated tensioning member, shown in an unlocked condition;

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 62 ,shown in a locked condition;

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of atension lock assembly suitable for incorporation into a chain tie downassembly having an elongated tensioning member, shown in an unlockedcondition;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of a retainer of the tension lock assemblyof FIG. 64 ;

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 64 ,shown in an intermediate condition;

FIG. 67 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 64 ,shown in a locked condition;

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of atension lock assembly suitable for incorporation into a chain tie downassembly having an elongated tensioning member, shown in an unlockedcondition;

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 68 ,shown in a locked condition;

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of atension lock assembly suitable for incorporation into a chain tie downassembly having an elongated tensioning member;

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of atension lock assembly suitable for incorporation into a chain tie downassembly having an elongated tensioning member, shown in an unlockedcondition;

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 71 ,shown in a locked condition;

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of atension lock assembly suitable for incorporation into a chain tie downassembly having an elongated tensioning member, shown in an unlockedcondition;

FIG. 74 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 73 ,shown in a stored condition;

FIG. 75 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of atension lock assembly suitable for incorporation into a chain tie downassembly having an elongated tensioning member, shown in an unlockedcondition;

FIG. 76 is a perspective view of a retainer of the tension lock assemblyof FIG. 75 , in a closed condition;

FIG. 77 is a perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 76 , in an opencondition;

FIG. 78 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 75 ,in an intermediate condition;

FIG. 79 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 75 ,in a locked condition;

FIG. 80 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of atension lock assembly suitable for incorporation into a chain tie downassembly having an elongated tensioning member;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of atension lock assembly suitable for incorporation into a chain tie downassembly having an elongated tensioning member, shown in an unlockedcondition;

FIG. 82 is a perspective view of a cannon of the tension lock assemblyof FIG. 81 ;

FIG. 83 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 81 ,shown in a locked condition;

FIG. 84 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of atension lock assembly suitable for incorporation into a chain tie downassembly having an elongated tensioning member, shown in an unlockedcondition;

FIG. 85 is an exploded view of components of the tension lock assemblyof FIG. 84 ;

FIG. 86 is a perspective view of the tension lock assembly of FIG. 84 ,shown in a locked condition;

FIG. 87 is a perspective view of an anti-vibration assembly suitable forincorporation into an anchor base of a chain tie down assembly;

FIG. 88 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of ananti-vibration assembly suitable for incorporation into an anchor baseof a chain tie down assembly, shown in an unlocked condition;

FIG. 89 is a perspective view of the anti-vibration assembly of FIG. 88, shown in an intermediate condition;

FIG. 90 is a perspective view of the anti-vibration assembly of FIG. 88, shown in a locked condition;

FIG. 91 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of ananti-vibration assembly suitable for incorporation into an anchor baseof a chain tie down assembly;

FIG. 92 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of ananti-vibration assembly suitable for incorporation into an anchor baseof a chain tie down assembly, shown in an unlocked condition;

FIG. 93 is a perspective view of the anti-vibration assembly of FIG. 92, shown in an intermediate condition;

FIG. 94 is a perspective view of the anti-vibration assembly of FIG. 92, shown in a locked condition;

FIG. 95 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of ananti-vibration assembly suitable for incorporation into an anchor baseof a chain tie down assembly, shown in an unlocked condition;

FIG. 96 is a perspective view of the anti-vibration assembly of FIG. 95, shown in an intermediate condition;

FIGS. 97 and 98 are perspective views of the anti-vibration assembly ofFIG. 95 , shown in locked conditions;

FIG. 99 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of ananti-vibration assembly suitable for incorporation into an anchor baseof a chain tie down assembly, shown in an unlocked condition;

FIGS. 100 and 101 are perspective view of the anti-vibration assembly ofFIG. 99 , shown in locked conditions;

FIG. 102 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of ananti-vibration assembly suitable for incorporation into an anchor baseof a chain tie down assembly;

FIG. 103 is a perspective view of another embodiment of ananti-vibration assembly suitable for incorporation into an anchor baseof a chain tie down assembly, shown in an unlocked condition; and

FIG. 104 is a perspective view of the anti-vibration assembly of FIG.103 , shown in a locked condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments disclosed herein are for the purpose of providing adescription of the present subject matter, and it is understood that thesubject matter may be embodied in various other forms and combinationsnot shown in detail. Therefore, specific designs and features disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting the subject matter asdefined in the accompanying claims.

Chain tie down assemblies according to the present disclosure arereferred to herein as “universal” because they can be used to secureeither smaller loads (i.e., articles typically being secured using a ⅜″chain, such as agricultural vehicles) or larger loads (i.e., articlestypically being secured using a ½″ chain, such as military vehicles).Such universal chain tie down assemblies may be differently configured,as will be described in greater detail herein, but share certainproperties that allow for universal application. In particular,universal chain tie down assemblies according to the present disclosureare strong enough to secure heavy loads, so they employ a ½″ chain witha minimum breaking strength of approximately 55,000-60,000 pounds. Theyalso are provided with the peripheral devices required for securing bothtypes of loads and/or taking up excess slack in a chain, which mayinclude a claw hook, adjustable grab hook, T-hook, and swivel snap hook.Additionally, they have a low enough deck clearance (which is thedistance between the top of the deck of the flatcar and the attachmentpoint of the article) to accommodate loads that are conventionallysecured using ⅜″ chain tie down assemblies (which have a minimum lengthof approximately 28″).

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary universal chain tie down assembly 10 accordingto the present disclosure. The universal chain tie down assembly 10includes an anchor base 12, which is shown in greater detail in FIGS.2-7 . It should be understood that the illustrated anchor base 12 ismerely exemplary and that universal chain tie down assemblies accordingto the present disclosure may employ differently configured anchor baseswithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The illustrated anchor base 12 is provided generally according toconventional design, with a generally rectangular body 14 formed of ametallic material. The body 14 is configured to be associated with achannel 16 of a deck of a flatcar, including having a plurality ofupwardly extending projections 18 configured to be received in notches20 of the channel 16. When the anchor base 12 has been properlypositioned, a pair of anchor locks 22 of the anchor base 12 are actuatedto secure the anchor base 12 in place and prevent it from falling intothe channel 16.

Per conventional design, each anchor lock 22 may include a pair ofupwardly extending supports 24 and 26 positioned at or adjacent to anend of the body 14 of the anchor base 12. Each support 24, 26 defines ahole 28 that is aligned with the hole 28 of the other support 24, 26positioned at the same end of the anchor base 12, with an elongated rod30 of an anchor lock 22 being rotatably received by the holes 28 of eachpair of supports 24 and 26. Each anchor lock 22 is initially provided inan unlocked or misaligned condition (FIG. 5 ), in which a stop 32associated with the rod 30 is positioned laterally of a slot 34 definedin the body 14 of the anchor base 12. When the anchor base 12 has beenproperly positioned, the rod 30 is moved laterally with respect to theassociated supports 24 and 26 so as to move the stop 32 into alignmentwith the associated slot 34 (FIG. 6 ), which may be referred to hereinas the aligned condition of the anchor lock 22. In this position, oneend of the rod 30 overhangs the channel 16 to prevent the anchor base 12from falling into the channel 16.

To prevent the rod 30 from returning to the unlocked or misalignedcondition of FIG. 5 , the rod 30 may be rotated to move the stop 32 intothe slot 34 (FIG. 7 ), which is referred to herein as the lockedcondition of the anchor lock 22. With the stop 32 in the slot 34, therod 30 is prevented from moving back to the unlocked or misalignedcondition of FIG. 5 , thus retaining the anchor base 12 in place in thechannel 16. Vibration of the flatcar and a lack of sufficient tension inthe associated universal chain tie down assembly 10 may cause an anchorlock 22 to move from the locked condition (FIG. 7 ) to the alignedcondition (FIG. 6 ) and then to the unlocked condition (FIG. 5 ), whichcan cause the anchor base 12 to fall into the channel 16 and dissociatethe universal chain tie down assembly 10 from its load. Accordingly, theanchor base 12 may be provided with an anti-vibration assembly to retainthe anchor lock 22 in its locked condition, as will be described ingreater detail herein.

The illustrated anchor base 12 defines a centrally located bore oraperture or opening 36 configured to receive a turret 38 a of theuniversal chain tie down assembly 10 (FIGS. 8 and 9 ). The turret 38 ais configured to be rotatably received within the opening 36, whichallows for adjustment of the orientation of the associated universalchain tie down assembly 10 with respect to its load. In the embodimentof FIGS. 8 and 9 , the turret 38 a is comprised of an upper portion 40and a lower portion 42, with the upper portion 40 positioned at leastprimarily above the body 14 of the anchor base 12 and the lower portion42 positioned at least primarily below the body 14 of the anchor base12. When the upper and lower portions 40 and 42 of the turret 38 a havebeen properly positioned with respect to the body 14 of the anchor base12 and each other, they may be secured to each other (e.g., by a weld)to prevent dissociation of the upper and lower portions 40 and 42 fromeach other, while still allowing for rotation of the assembled turret 38a in the opening 36 with respect to the body 14 of the anchor base 12.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a turret 38 bthat may be associated with the anchor base 12. In contrast to theembodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 , the turret 38 a of FIGS. 8 and 9 , theturret 38 b of FIGS. 10 and 11 is provided with a unitary or monolithicconstruction. Such a turret 38 b may be positioned within the opening 36of the body 14 of the anchor base 12 and then associated with the anchorbase 12 by any suitable approach that allows for the turret 38 b to berotated within the opening 36 with respect to the body 14 of the anchorbase 12 without becoming dissociated from the body 14 of the anchor base12. It should be understood that the turrets 38 a and 38 b (collectivelyidentified herein as 38) are merely exemplary and that differentlyconfigured turrets may also be employed without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

The illustrated turret 38 includes upwardly extending, substantiallyparallel first and second yokes 44 and 46, which define a gaptherebetween. A cannon 48 of the universal chain tie down assembly 10(FIG. 1 ) includes first and second arms 50 and 52 also defining a gaptherebetween. The arms 50 and 52 of the cannon 48 are positionedoutwardly of the yokes 44 and 46 of the turret 38, with the first arm 50of the cannon 48 being pivotally connected to the first yoke 44 of theturret 38 and the second arm 52 of the cannon 48 being pivotallyconnected to the second yoke 46 of the turret 38 (e.g., using pivot pinsor the like). While the arms 50 and 52 of the cannon 48 are positionedoutwardly of the yokes 44 and 46 of the turret 38 in the illustratedembodiment, it should be understood that the arms 50 and 52 of thecannon 48 may be positioned inwardly of the yokes 44 and 46 of theturret 38 or one of the arms 50, 52 of the cannon 48 may be positionedoutwardly of the associated yoke 44, 46 of the turret 38, while theother arm 50, 52 of the cannon 48 is positioned inwardly of theassociated yoke 44, 46 of the turret 38.

The arms 50 and 52 of the cannon 48 meet at a distal portion of thecannon 48, which defines an internally threaded bore 54 (FIG. 12 ). Asshown, it may be advantageous for only a distal portion of the bore 54to be internally threaded, while a more proximal portion of the bore 54is unthreaded and may be counterbored equal to or larger than the majorthread diameter, for reasons that will be described in greater detailherein.

The internally threaded bore 54 receives an externally threaded proximalportion 56 of a tensioning rod 58 of the universal chain tie downassembly 10 (FIG. 13 ). The threads of the bore 54 mate with the threadsof the proximal portion 56 of the tensioning rod 58, such that rotationof the tensioning rod 58 about its central axis causes the tensioningrod 58 to be moved proximally and distally with respect to the cannon48. For example, FIG. 14 shows the tensioning rod 58 in a fully extendedcondition (in which the tensioning rod 58 has been moved as far distallywith respect to the cannon 48 as it can be) and FIG. 15 shows thetensioning rod 58 in a fully compressed condition (in which thetensioning rod 58 has been moved as far proximally with respect to thecannon 48 as it can be), while FIG. 13 shows the tensioning rod 58 in anintermediate condition between the fully extended and fully compressedconditions.

As can be seen in FIGS. 12-15 , a retaining pin 60 may be associatedwith the threaded proximal portion 56 of the tensioning rod 58. Theunthreaded portion of the bore 54 of the cannon 48 has sufficientclearance to allow for the retaining pin 60 to move therethrough, butsufficient distal movement of the tensioning rod 58 with respect to thecannon 48 causes the retaining pin 60 to contact the threads of the bore54 (as in FIG. 14 ). Interference between the retaining pin 60 and thethreads of the bore 54 or the bottom of the counterbore prevents furtherdistal movement of the tensioning rod 58 with respect to the cannon 48,thus defining the fully extended condition of the tensioning rod 58 andpreventing complete dissociation of the tensioning rod 58 from thecannon 48.

As will be described in greater detail herein, movement of thetensioning rod 58 with respect to the cannon 48 varies the amount oftension in the universal chain tie down assembly 10. To that end, thetensioning rod 58 is preferably provided with a tool attachment portion62 positioned distally of the threaded proximal portion 56. The toolattachment portion 62 is configured for engagement by a tool forrotation of the tensioning rod 58 about its central axis to vary thetension in the universal chain tie down assembly 10. In the illustratedembodiment, the tool attachment portion 62 is configured as a hex nut,which is suitable for engagement by a wrench or the like, but otherconfigurations suitable for use in combination with differentlyconfigured tools may also be employed without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

Regardless of the particular configuration of the tool attachmentportion 62, it is preferably larger than the diameter of the threadedbore 54 of the cannon 48. By such a configuration, continued proximalmovement of the tensioning rod 58 with respect to the cannon 48 willeventually move the tool attachment portion 62 into engagement with thedistal end of the cannon 48 (as in FIG. 15 ), thus defining the fullycompressed condition of the tensioning rod 58 and preventing furtherproximal movement of the tensioning rod 58 with respect to the cannon48.

It will be seen that part of the threaded proximal portion 56 of thetensioning rod 58 extends into the gap defined between the yokes 44 and46 of the turret 38 when the tensioning rod 58 is in its fullycompressed condition. The degree to which the proximal portion 56 of thetensioning rod 58 extends into the gap in the fully compressed conditionis a function of the length of the proximal portion 56 with respect tothe bore 54 of the cannon 48. A relatively elongated proximal portion 56allows for a greater degree of travel for the tensioning rod 58 and,thus, a wider range of possible tension that may be imparted to theuniversal chain tie down assembly 10, but may require clearance for theproximal portion 56 in the fully compressed condition (as in FIG. 15 ).In other embodiments, the threaded proximal portion 56 of the tensioningrod 58 may be shorter such that, even in the fully compressed condition,the proximal portion 56 does not extend into the vicinity of the yokes44 and 46 of the turret 38. In such embodiments there is more freedom indesigning the turret 38, as it is unnecessary to create a gap toaccommodate the proximal portion 56 of the tensioning rod 58 in thefully compressed condition.

A distal portion 64 of the tensioning rod 58 (which is separated fromthe threaded proximal portion 56 by the tool attachment portion 62) isunthreaded, as can be seen in FIG. 12 . The unthreaded distal portion 64of the tensioning rod 58 is received by an unthreaded bore 66 of a hub68, as can be seen in FIGS. 13-15 . While the distal portion 64 of thetensioning rod 58 and the bore 66 of the hub 68 are shown as beingunthreaded, it should be understood that they may be differentlyconfigured, provided that they do not engage diametrically (e.g., byproviding the distal portion of the tensioning rod 58 with a right-hand¾″ thread and the bore 66 of the hub 68 with a 1″ left-hand thread). Thedistal end of the tensioning rod 58 (which extends distally of the hub68) may be enlarged to prevent dissociation of the tensioning rod 58from the hub 68. This may be achieved by securing an end stop ormechanical fastener 70 (shown as a nut) to the distal end of thetensioning rod 58 after the hub 68 has been properly positioned on thetensioning rod 58 or by any other suitable approach. By such aconfiguration, the unthreaded distal portion 64 of the tensioning rod 58may freely rotate within the unthreaded bore 66 of the hub 68 withoutthe tensioning rod 58 becoming dissociated from the hub 68.

The hub 68 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 12 , with a central bore66 and a pair of lateral extensions 72 and 74 projecting from opposingsides of the central bore 66. A first of the lateral extensions 72 isassociated with a proximal end of a first arm 76, while the other one ofthe lateral extensions 74 is associated with a proximal end of a secondarm 78. It should be understood that the illustrated configuration (inwhich a bore or hole in the proximal end of each arm 76, 78 receives anassociated lateral extension 72, 74 of the hub 68) is merely exemplaryand that the hub 68 and/or the arms 76 and 78 may be differentlyconfigured to differently associate the arms 76 and 78 to the hub 68.However, it may be advantageous for the arms 76 and 78 to be pivotallyconnected to the hub 68 to allow for an additional degree of flexibilityor adjustability in the configuration of the universal chain tie downassembly 10. This may allow for improved storage of the universal chaintie down assembly 10 when not in use. For example, FIGS. 16 and 17 showthe universal chain tie down assembly 10 (with the tensioning rod 58 infully compressed and fully extended conditions, respectively) in stowedconditions within a channel 16 of the associated flatcar. As can beseen, allowing the arms 76 and 78 to be pivoted with respect to the hub68 may allow for improved storage of the universal chain tie downassembly 10.

Each arm 76, 78 extends from its proximal end to a distal end that isspaced away from the hub 68. The arms 76 and 78 may be considered to becomponents of a constant tensioning device 80 of the universal chain tiedown assembly 10, which extend at least partially through the constanttensioning device 80. It should be understood that the other componentsof the constant tensioning device 80 may be variously configured withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. However, in theillustrated embodiment, the constant tensioning device 80 is shown asincluding proximal and distal end caps 82 and 84, an intermediate cap 86positioned between the end caps 82 and 84, a proximal spring element 88(shown as an elastomeric insert) positioned between the proximal end cap82 and the intermediate cap 86, and a distal spring element 90 (shown asan elastomeric insert) positioned between the intermediate cap 86 andthe distal end cap 84 (FIG. 13 ). These components of the constanttensioning device 80 may be substantially configured according toconventional design.

The constant tensioning device 80 further includes a U-bolt 92 having acurved portion 94 and a pair of legs 96. The curved portion 94 ispositioned distally of the distal end cap 84, with the legs 96 extendingproximally away from the curved portion 94 and through the various capsof the constant tensioning device 80. In particular, the end caps 82 and84 and the intermediate cap 86 may each define four opening orapertures, which may be equally spaced about a central axis of theconstant tensioning device 80. Two of the apertures of each cap(referred to herein as first and second apertures) are spaced 180° fromeach other and receive the first and second arms 76 and 78, while theother two apertures of each cap (referred to herein as the third andfourth apertures) are spaced 180° from other and receive the legs 96 ofthe U-bolt 92. The spring elements 88 and 90 may have a relatively smalldiameter, such that they are positioned radially inwardly of the arms 76and 78 and legs 96 or may be configured to define voids allowing forpassage of the arms 76 and 78 and legs 96 therethrough.

Ends of the legs 96 of the U-bolt 92 are positioned proximally of theproximal end cap 82, with each end having an associated leg fastener 98(e.g., a nut) configured to prevent distal movement of the associatedend through the associated aperture of the proximal end cap 82.Similarly, the distal ends of the first and second arms 76 and 78positioned distally of the distal end cap 84 may each have an associatedarm fastener 100 (e.g., a nut) configured to prevent proximal movementof the associated distal end through the associated aperture of thedistal end cap 84. In other embodiments, the constant tensioning device80 may be differently configured, such as by omitting an intermediatecap, having a plurality of intermediate caps (in which case additionalspring elements may be provided), having an elastomeric spring elementthat is bonded to a cap, and/or having a non-elastomeric spring element(e.g., a spring element configured as a coil spring). Other variationsto the configuration of the constant tensioning device 80 may also beemployed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

A chain 102 is associated with the distal end of the constant tensioningdevice 80, such as being linked to the curved portion 94 of the U-bolt92. Preferably, the chain 102 is a ½″ chain to render the universalchain tie down assembly 10 sufficiently strong to secure a larger load(e.g., a military vehicle). One or more hooks are associated with thechain 102 and/or the curved portion 94 of the U-bolt 92 to allow for theuniversal chain tie down assembly 10 to be connected to a load and/or totake up slack in the chain 102. In the illustrated embodiment, a claw orgrab hook 104 is associated with the curved portion 94 of the U-bolt 92,while an adjustable grab hook 106, a T-hook 108, and a(non-load-bearing) swivel snap hook 110 are associated with the chain102 (FIG. 1 ). These hooks may be conventionally configured or providedaccording to novel design.

In use, the chain 102 and one or more of the hooks of the universalchain tie down assembly 10 are used to attach the chain 102 to a load,as conventionally done with the distal chain of a chain tie downassembly. The tool attachment portion 62 is then manipulated using anappropriate tool to move the tensioning rod 58 proximally with respectto the cannon 48, thus increasing the tension in the universal chain tiedown assembly 10. As the tension in the universal chain tie downassembly 10 increases, the various caps of the constant tensioningdevice 80 compress the spring elements 88 and 90, with the separation ofthe adjacent caps decreasing until a target separation (corresponding toa particular tension in the universal chain tie down assembly 10) isachieved. One or more of the hooks may be used at an appropriate time totake up slack in the chain 102, as conventionally done with a chain tiedown assembly.

By such a configuration, the universal chain tie down assembly 10 may beused to secure larger loads (due to its strength), while being shortenough to be used for smaller loads (see FIG. 18 ). The reduced lengthof the universal chain tie down assembly 10 (with respect to the lengthof a conventional chain tie down assembly for a larger load) is madepossible in part by the omission of a proximal U-bolt from the constanttensioning device 80. In such a conventional chain tie down assembly, aproximal U-bolt has a curved portion positioned proximally of theproximal end cap, with legs extending distally away from the curvedportion (where the first and second arms 76 and 78 are positioned in theuniversal chain tie down assembly 10). The curved portion of theproximal U-bolt must be attached to an elongated tensioning member(e.g., a turnbuckle), which necessarily increases the minimum length ofthe chain tie down assembly and makes such a chain tie down assemblyincompatible with a smaller load.

It should be understood that the illustrated configurations of theuniversal chain tie down assembly 10 and its individual components mayvary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Forexample, FIG. 19 shows a differently configured cannon 112 that may beincorporated into the universal chain tie down assembly 10 of FIG. 1 .In the embodiment of FIG. 19 , the cannon 112 is not a unitary ormonolithic or single-piece component (as in FIG. 1 ), but instead iscomprised of separate first and second arms 114 and a second hub 116.The second hub 116 may be substantially identical to the hub 68 (i.e.,with a central bore and a pair of lateral extensions), but has aninternally threaded bore (corresponding to the unthreaded bore 66 ofFIG. 12 ) instead of an unthreaded bore. The internally threaded bore ofthe second hub 116 cooperates with the threaded proximal portion 56 ofthe tensioning rod 58 as described above to vary the position of thetensioning rod 58 with respect to the cannon 112 and the tension withinthe universal chain tie down assembly. The arms 114 of the cannon 112may be pivotally connected to the second hub 116 of the cannon 112 toprovide the universal chain tie down assembly with an additional degreeof flexibility or adjustability in its configuration, which may allowfor improved storage of the universal chain tie down assembly when notin use.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate another embodiment of a cannon 118 that maybe incorporated into the universal chain tie down assembly 10 of FIG. 1. As described above, it may be possible for the threaded proximalportion 56 of the tensioning rod 58 to be short enough that it does notenter into the gap between the yokes 44 and 46 of the turret 38, evenwhen the tensioning rod 58 is in its fully compressed condition. Thecannon 118 of FIGS. 20 and 21 (which has a generally tubularconfiguration, rather than the generally Y-shaped configuration of FIGS.1 and 19 ) is suitable for such a modified tensioning rod 58, as itsproximal end 120 is positioned in the gap between the yokes 44 and 46 ofthe turret 38, with its distally threaded counterbore 122 stopping shortof the proximal end 120 (FIG. 21 ). By such a configuration, thetensioning rod 58 may be moved proximally with respect to the cannon 118until the tool attachment portion 62 contacts the distal end of thecannon 118 and/or the proximal end of the threaded proximal portion 56contacts the end of the counterbore 122. As in the other cannonembodiments described herein, the cannon 118 of FIGS. 20 and 21 may bepivotally connected to the yokes 44 and 46 of the turret 38 (e.g., usinga pivot pin or the like).

FIG. 22 illustrates another embodiment of a universal chain tie downassembly 124 according to the present disclosure. The universal chaintie down assembly 124 of FIG. 22 is similarly configured to theuniversal chain tie down assembly 10 of FIG. 1 , including an anchorbase 12 and associated turret 126 (FIGS. 23 and 24 ). In contrast to theturrets 38 of the preceding embodiment, the turret 126 of FIGS. 23 and24 has only a single yoke 128, rather than a pair of yokes. Theassociated cannon 130 may have a pair of arms 132 (as in the previouslydescribed cannons), with the arms 132 being positioned on opposing sidesof the single yoke 128 and pivotally connected to the single yoke 128(via a pivot pin or the like, for example).

Due to the omission of a gap in the turret 126, the threaded proximalportion 134 of the associated tensioning rod 136 (FIG. 25 ) must berelatively short, because the proximal portion 134 must stop short ofthe single yoke 128 of the turret 126 when the tensioning rod 136 is inits fully compressed condition. To allow for such a shortened proximalportion 134 without limiting the amount of takeup of the universal chaintie down assembly 124, the tensioning rod 136 has a modified distalportion 138. In particular, the distal portion 138 of the tensioning rod136 of FIG. 25 is externally threaded, with the proximal and distalportions 134 and 138 of the tensioning rod 136 being oppositelythreaded. In addition to being threaded, it may be advantageous for thedistal portion 138 of the tensioning rod 136 of FIG. 25 to be longerthan the distal portion 64 of the tensioning rod 58 of FIG. 12 to allowfor travel of the hub 140 along the tensioning rod 136 (as will bedescribed in greater detail herein). If the tensioning rod 136 has anelongated distal portion 138, it may be advantageous for the first andsecond arms 142 and 144 of the universal chain tie down assembly 124 ofFIG. 22 to be similarly longer than the first and second arms 76 and 78of the universal chain tie down assembly 10 of FIG. 1 .

The bore 146 of the hub 140 receiving the distal portion 138 of thetensioning rod 136 is internally threaded, with threads that mate withthe threads of the threaded distal portion 138 of the tensioning rod136. The distal end of the tensioning rod 136 (which extends distally ofthe hub 140) may be enlarged to prevent dissociation of the tensioningrod 136 from the hub 140. This may be achieved by securing an end stopor mechanical fastener 148 (shown as a nut) to the distal end of thetensioning rod 136 after the hub 140 has been properly positioned on thetensioning rod 136 or by any other suitable approach. By such aconfiguration, the hub 140 may be advanced distally along the threadeddistal portion 138 of the tensioning rod 136 without becomingdissociated from the tensioning rod 136.

Due to the opposite threads of the proximal and distal portions 134 and138 of the tensioning rod 136, rotating the tool attachment portion 150of the tensioning rod 136 in a first direction will cause the threads ofthe tensioning rod 136 to move the tensioning rod 136 proximally withrespect to the cannon 130 while also pulling the hub 140 proximallytoward the cannon 130. Conversely, rotating the tool attachment portion150 in the opposite direction will cause the threads of the tensioningrod 136 to move the tensioning rod 136 distally with respect to thecannon 130 while also advancing the hub 140 distally away from thecannon 130. Assuming similarly configured threads of the proximalportions of the tensioning rods and the bores of the associated cannons,the same degree of rotation of the tensioning rod 136 about its centralaxis will cause a greater degree of the change in the length of theuniversal chain tie down assembly 124 of FIG. 22 than the universalchain tie down assembly 10 of FIG. 1 (due to the same rotation alsocausing movement of the hub 140 with respect to the cannon 130). As lessrotation is required to effect the same degree of change in the lengthof the universal chain tie down assembly 124 (and, hence, to vary thedegree of tension in the universal chain tie down assembly 124), theproximal portion 134 of the tensioning rod 136 may be relatively shortcompared to the proximal portion 56 of the tensioning rod 58 of theuniversal chain tie down assembly 10 of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 26 shows the tensioning rod 136 in an intermediate condition, whileFIGS. 27 and 28 show the tensioning rod 136 in fully extended and fullycompressed conditions, respectively. In the fully extended condition ofFIG. 27 , the end stop 148 of the tensioning rod 136 bears against thedistal end of the hub 140, while a retaining pin 152 of the proximalportion 134 of the tensioning rod 136 bears against the threads of thecannon bore 154 or the end of a counterbore of the cannon bore 154 (asdescribed above with respect to the previous embodiment) to preventfurther separation of the hub 140 with respect to the cannon 130. In thefully compressed condition of FIG. 28 , the hub 140 bears against adistal surface of the tool attachment portion 150 of the tensioning rod136, while the cannon 130 bears against a proximal surface of the toolattachment portion 150.

Despite the variations in the configurations of the turret 126, cannon130, tensioning rod 136, hub 140, and first and second arms 142 and 144,the universal chain tie down assembly 124 of FIG. 22 operates similarlyto the universal chain tie down assembly 10 of FIG. 1 . Moreparticularly, in use, the chain 102 and one or more of the hooks of theuniversal chain tie down assembly 124 are used to attach the chain 102to a load, as conventionally done with the distal chain of a chain tiedown assembly. The tool attachment portion 150 is then manipulated usingan appropriate tool to move the tensioning rod 136 proximally withrespect to the cannon 130 and to draw the hub 140 toward the cannon 130,thus increasing the tension in the universal chain tie down assembly124. As the tension in the universal chain tie down assembly 124increases, the various caps of the constant tensioning device 80compress the spring elements, with the separation of the adjacent capsdecreasing until a target separation (corresponding to a particulartension in the universal chain tie down assembly 124) is achieved. Oneor more of the hooks may be used at an appropriate time to take up slackin the chain 102, as conventionally done with a chain tie down assembly.Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the universal chain tie downassembly 124 of FIG. 22 may be used to secure larger loads (due to itsstrength), while being short enough to be used for smaller loads (seeFIG. 29 ).

While the embodiments of FIGS. 1-29 show a cannon having an internallythreaded bore and a tensioning rod with an externally threaded proximalportion, it should be understood that the cannon and tensioning rod maybe differently configured, with an externally threaded cannon and atensioning rod with a proximal portion defining an internally threadedbore, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 30-47 .

The universal chain tie down assembly 47 of FIGS. 30-35 may beunderstood as a variation of the universal chain tie down assembly 10 ofFIG. 1 . The embodiment of FIGS. 30-35 differs principally from theembodiment of FIG. 1 in that, rather than the cannon 49 defining aninternally threaded bore, it is instead provided with an externallythreaded distal portion 51, as can be seen in FIG. 31 . In theillustrated embodiment, the cannon 49 is configured similarly to aconventional eyebolt (with a loop 53 at its proximal end being pivotallyassociated with a turret 38 of the type shown in FIG. 1 ), but it shouldbe understood that the cannon 49 may be differently configured, asnecessary to cooperate with the associated turret.

The externally threaded distal portion 51 of the cannon 49 is configuredto be at least partially received by an externally threaded bore 55defined by the proximal portion 57 of a tensioning rod 59 (FIGS. 32 and33 ). As can be seen in FIG. 32 , it may be sufficient for only aproximal portion of the bore 55 to be threaded, while the remainder ofthe inner surface of the bore 55 is unthreaded. Similar to theembodiment of FIG. 1 , the tensioning rod 59 includes a tool attachmentportion 61, which allows the tensioning rod 59 to be manipulated by atool (e.g., a wrench) to rotate the tensioning rod 59 about its centralaxis, which causes the tensioning rod 59 to move proximally and distallywith respect to the cannon 49 between a fully extended condition (FIG.34 ) and a fully compressed condition (FIG. 35 ).

Similar to the distal portion 64 of the tensioning rod 58 of FIG. 1 ,the distal portion 63 of the tensioning rod 59 may be unthreaded (FIG.32 ), for receipt within a bore 66 of a hub 68 configured as in FIG. 1 .The distal portion 63 of the tensioning rod 59 is configured to rotatefreely within the bore 66 of the hub 68, with an enlarged distal end ofthe tensioning rod 59 (which may be a mechanical fastener comprising anend stop 65) preventing dissociation of the tensioning rod 59 and thehub 68.

A retaining pin 67 may be associated with the threaded portion 51 of thecannon 49, with the unthreaded portion of the bore 55 having sufficientclearance to allow for the retaining pin 67 to move therethrough. Uponsufficient distal movement of the tensioning rod 59 with respect to thecannon 49 (i.e., into the fully extended condition of FIG. 34 ), theretaining pin 67 contacts the threads of the bore 55 or the bottom of acounterbore of the bore 55 to prevent further distal movement of thetensioning rod 59 with respect to the cannon 49, thus preventingcomplete dissociation of the tensioning rod 59 from the cannon 49.

The bore 55 may be configured such that a distal end of the cannon 49contacts the distal end of the bore 55 to define the fully compressedcondition (FIG. 35 ). Alternatively (or additionally), a proximal end ofthe tensioning rod 59 may be configured to contact the loop 53 of thecannon 49 to define the fully compressed condition.

Accordingly, it will be seen that the reconfiguration of the cannon 49and the proximal portion 57 of the tensioning rod 59 do not change thefundamental manner in which the universal chain tie down assembly 47works, compared to the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

The universal chain tie down assembly 69 of FIGS. 36-41 may beunderstood as a variation of the universal chain tie down assembly 124of FIG. 22 . The embodiment of FIGS. 36-41 differs principally from theembodiment of FIG. 22 in that the cannon 71 and proximal portion 73 ofthe tensioning rod 75 are configured similarly to the cannon 49 andproximal portion 57 of FIGS. 30-35 . The cannon 71 (FIG. 37 ) andproximal portion 73 of the tensioning rod 75 (FIG. 38 ) may differ fromthe ones of FIGS. 30-35 by being relatively short, which is possible dueto the distal portion 77 of the tensioning rod 75 being threadablyconnected to the hub 140 (FIG. 39 ), with the proximal and distalportions 73 and 77 of the tensioning rod 75 being oppositely threaded,as in the embodiment of FIG. 22 . Due to this configuration, rotatingthe tensioning rod 75 using its tool attachment portion 79 will causethe position of the tensioning rod 75 to change with respect to theassociated hub 140 (which may be substantially identical to the hub 140of FIG. 22 ), meaning that the threaded portion 81 of the cannon 71 andproximal portion 73 of the tensioning rod 75 may be relatively shortwithout sacrificing the full takeup of the universal chain tie downassembly 69.

As in the other universal chain tie down assemblies described herein,the tensioning rod 75 may be rotated about its central axis to move theuniversal chain tie down assembly 69 between a fully extended condition(FIG. 40 ) and a fully compressed condition (FIG. 41 ). The distal endof the tensioning rod 75 may be enlarged (e.g., in the form of amechanical fastener comprising an end stop 83) to prevent dissociationof the tensioning rod 75 and the hub 140 in the fully extendedcondition. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 30-35 , a retaining pin 85 maybe associated with the threaded portion 81 of the cannon 71, with theretaining pin 85 contacting the threads of the bore 87 or the bottom ofa counterbore of the bore 87 to prevent further distal movement of thetensioning rod 75 with respect to the cannon 71, thus preventingcomplete dissociation of the tensioning rod 75 from the cannon 71. Alsoas in the embodiment of FIGS. 30-35 , the bore 87 may be configured suchthat a distal end of the cannon 71 contacts the distal end of the bore87 and/or a proximal end of the tensioning rod 75 may be configured tocontact the loop 89 of the cannon 71 to define the fully compressedcondition.

Accordingly, it will be seen that the reconfiguration of the cannon 71and the proximal portion 73 of the tensioning rod 75 do not change thefundamental manner in which the universal chain tie down assembly 69works, compared to the embodiment of FIG. 22 .

The universal chain tie down assembly 91 of FIGS. 42-47 may beunderstood as a variation of the universal chain tie down assembly 69 ofFIGS. 36-41 . The embodiment of FIGS. 42-47 differs principally from theembodiment of FIG. 36-41 in that, rather than the distal portion 93 ofthe tensioning rod 95 being externally threaded and received by athreaded bore of a hub, the distal portion 93 instead defines aninternally threaded bore 97 (similarly to the proximal portion 99). Inthe embodiment of FIGS. 42-47 , the tensioning rod 95 may besubstantially tubular, with the interior of the tensioning rod 95 beingopen between the proximal and distal ends of the tensioning rod 95 (asin FIG. 43 ), though it is also within the scope of the presentdisclosure for there to be an internal barrier separating the proximaland distal bores 101 and 97.

The associated hub 103 (FIG. 44 ) is provided with an externallythreaded proximal extension 105 that is at least partially received bythe internally threaded distal bore 97 of the tensioning rod 95 (FIG. 45). Similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 22 and 36-41 , the proximal anddistal portions 99 and 93 are oppositely threaded, such that rotation ofthe tensioning rod 95 about its central axis will move the tensioningrod 95 with respect to the associated cannon 71 and hub 103, between afully extended condition (FIG. 46 ) and a fully compressed condition(FIG. 47 ). As in the embodiments of FIGS. 30-41 , a retaining pin maybe associated with the threaded portion 81 of the cannon 71, with theretaining pin contacting the threads of the proximal bore 101 or thebottom of a counterbore of the proximal bore 101 to prevent furtherdistal movement of the tensioning rod 95 with respect to the cannon 71,thus preventing complete dissociation of the tensioning rod 95 from thecannon 71. A second retaining pin 107 may be associated with theproximal extension 105 of the hub 103, with the second retaining pin 107contacting the threads of the distal bore 97 or the bottom of acounterbore of the distal bore 97 to prevent further distal movement ofthe hub 103 with respect to the tensioning rod 95.

As in the embodiments of FIGS. 30-41 , the proximal bore 101 may beconfigured such that a proximal end of the tensioning rod 95 contactsthe loop 89 of the cannon 71 to define the fully compressed condition.Similarly, the distal bore 97 may be configured such that a distal endof the tensioning rod 95 contacts an enlarged body 109 of the hub 103(positioned adjacent to and distally of the proximal extension 105) inthe fully compressed condition. If the tensioning rod 95 is providedwith an internal barrier separating the proximal and distal bores 101and 97, a distal end of the cannon 71 may contact the distal end of theproximal bore 101 in the fully compressed condition, while a proximalend of the proximal extension 105 of the hub 103 contacts the proximalend of the distal bore 97. Alternatively, if no such internal barrier isprovided, the distal end of the cannon 71 may be configured to contactthe proximal end of the proximal extension 105 of the hub 103 in thefully compressed condition.

Thus, while the embodiment of FIGS. 42-47 differs from the otheruniversal chain tie down assemblies described herein due to the reversedconfigurations of the distal portion 93 of the tensioning rod 95 and thehub 103, it will be seen that the universal chain tie down assembly 91operates similarly to the embodiments of FIGS. 22 and 36-41 .

While the embodiments of FIGS. 1-47 show tensioning rods having proximalportions that are threadably connected to an associated cannon, itshould be understood that the tensioning rod of a universal chain tiedown assembly according to the present disclosure may be otherwiseassociated to a cannon. For example, it is within the scope of thepresent disclosure for the proximal portion of a tensioning rod and anassociated cannon to be connected together without engagingdiametrically, as is the case when the proximal portion of a tensioningrod is unthreaded and received by an unthreaded bore of the cannon, asin the universal chain tie down assembly 111 of FIG. 48 .

The universal chain tie down assembly 111 of FIG. 48 may be understoodas a variation of the universal chain tie down assembly 10 of FIG. 1 .The embodiment of FIG. 48 differs principally from the embodiment ofFIG. 1 in that the orientation of the tensioning rod 113 is (FIG. 49 )is effectively reversed, with an unthreaded proximal portion 115(instead of a threaded proximal portion 56) and an externally threadeddistal portion 117 (instead of an unthreaded distal portion 64). Toaccommodate the threaded distal portion 117, the hub 140 may have aninternally threaded bore (as in FIG. 25 ), while the cannon 119 (FIG. 50) includes an unthreaded bore 121 configured to receive the proximalportion 115 of the tensioning rod 113. In the illustrated embodiment,the cannon 119 is configured as a second hub that is substantiallyidentical to the hub 140 (apart from the differently configured bores),but it should be understood that the cannon 119 may be differentlyconfigured, provided that it defines a suitable bore 121.

As in the other embodiments described herein, it may be advantageous forthe cannon 119 to be pivotally connected to the turret 38. While FIG. 48shows the cannon 119 as being directly connected to the turret 38 via apair of lateral extensions 123 so as to position the bore 121 within thegap between the yokes of the turret 38, it should be understood that thecannon 119 may be configured or associated to the turret 38 so as tospace the bore 121 away from the turret 38. For example, if the cannon119 is configured as a second hub, it may be incorporated into amulti-piece assembly of the type shown in FIG. 19 , which spaces thebore 121 away from the turret 38. However, the illustrated embodimentmay be advantageous in terms of limiting the length of the universalchain tie down assembly 111.

As shown in FIG. 51 , the proximal end of the tensioning rod 113 (whichextends proximally of the cannon 119) may be enlarged to preventdissociation of the tensioning rod 113 from the cannon 119. Similarly,the distal end of the tensioning rod 113 (which extends distally of thehub 140) may be enlarged to prevent dissociation of the tensioning rod113 from the hub 140. This may be achieved, for example, by securing endstops or mechanical fasteners 125 to the proximal and distal ends of thetensioning rod 113 or by any other suitable approach. By such aconfiguration, the proximal and distal portions 115 and 117 of thetensioning rod 113 may rotate within the associated bores (respectively)without the tensioning rod 113 becoming dissociated from the cannon 119or the hub 140.

As in the other embodiments described herein, the tensioning rod 113includes a tool attachment portion 127, which may be positioned betweenthe proximal and distal portions 115 and 117 of the tensioning rod 113.The tool attachment portion 127 allows the tensioning rod 113 to bemanipulated by a tool (e.g., a wrench) to rotate the tensioning rod 113about its central axis, which causes the tensioning rod 113 to move thehub 140 proximally and distally along the distal portion 117 of thetensioning rod 113 between a fully extended condition (FIG. 52 ) and afully compressed condition (FIG. 53 ). Accordingly, it will be seen thatthe removal of threads from the interface between the proximal portion115 of the tensioning rod 113 and the cannon 119 (with there being athreaded connection between the distal portion 117 of the tensioning rod113 and the hub 140) does not change the fundamental manner in which theuniversal chain tie down assembly 111 works compared to the otherembodiments described herein, but merely allows for the tension in theuniversal chain tie down assembly 111 to be varied without thetensioning rod 113 being moved proximally or distally with respect tothe turret 38.

It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are merelyexemplary and that variations to the illustrated configurations may bepracticed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.For example, while a particular turret and/or cannon may be describedand/or illustrated in the context of one of the embodiments, it iswithin the scope of the present disclosure for there to be crossoverbetween the components of the embodiments (except where physicallyincompatible). The illustrated universal chain tie down assemblies mayalso include additional components without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. For example, FIG. 54 shows an embodiment inwhich a second T-hook 108 is associated with the curved portion 94 ofthe U-bolt 92.

Alternatively, if it would be advantageous for a T-hook to be associatedwith the curved portion 94 of the U-bolt 92, rather than providing aT-hook, a chain takeup device associated with the curved portion 94 ofthe U-bolt 92 (e.g., a claw or grab hook) may be modified to include aT-hook formation, as in FIGS. 55 and 56 . FIG. 55 shows an embodiment ofa claw or grab hook 156 having a T-hook formation 158 associated with aproximal end 160 thereof, while FIG. 56 shows an embodiment of a claw orgrab hook 162 having a T-hook formation 158 associated with a distal end164 thereof.

A conventional claw or grab hook 104 (as shown in FIG. 54 ) has upperand lower surfaces 166 and 168, which are joined by a sidewall 170. Thelower surface 168 may be substantially closed or solid, while a cavity172 is defined in the upper surface 166. A central portion 174 of thecavity 172 is configured to receive one complete link of a chain, withthe link being oriented within a plane defined by the sidewall 170. Thecavity 172 further includes proximal and distal portions 176 and 178,which are each configured to accommodate a portion of a different chainlink that is linked to the chain link positioned within central portion174 of the cavity 172. The proximal portion 176 of the cavity 172extends through the upper surface 166 of the claw or grab hook 104 andis spaced from the proximal end 160 of the sidewall 170, in which a link180 may be defined for associating the claw or grab hook 104 to a U-bolt92 (as in FIG. 54 ) or the like. The distal portion 178 of the cavity172 is defined in the upper surface 166 and in the distal end 164 ofsidewall 170 of the claw or grab hook 104. By such a configuration thechain link partially received by the distal portion 178 of the cavity172 will be oriented substantially co-planar with the chain linkreceived by the central portion 174 of the cavity 172, while the chainlink partially received by the proximal portion 176 of the cavity 172will be generally perpendicular to the other two chain links.

In the embodiment of FIG. 55 , the proximal end 160 of the sidewall 170,in addition to defining a link 180, also defines a T-hook formation 158,which is shown as extending generally perpendicularly away from thelower surface 168. Such a configuration may be advantageous formaintaining the accessibility of the cavity 172 via the upper surface166 while preventing the T-hook formation 158 from interfering with astructure to which the claw or grab hook 156 is linked (which is shownin FIG. 55 as a U-bolt 92). However, it is also within the scope of thepresent disclosure for the T-hook formation 158 to extend at some otherangle from the lower surface 168 of the claw or grab hook 156.

In the embodiment of FIG. 56 , the T-hook formation 158 extends from thelower surface 168 of the claw or grab hook 162 at the distal end 164 ofthe sidewall 170, directly beneath the distal portion 178 of the cavity172. The T-hook formation 158 is shown as extending at an approximately45° angle away from the lower surface 168 of the claw or grab hook 162,but it is also within the scope of the present disclosure for the T-hookformation 158 to extend away from the lower surface 168 at some otherangle.

While FIGS. 55 and 56 show the T-hook formation 158 extending from thelower surface 168 at the proximal end 160 or distal end 164 of the clawor grab hook 156, 162, it should be understood that the T-hook formation158 may extend away from the some other region of the lower surface 168at any angle. Additionally, it is within the scope of the presentdisclosure for the T-hook formation 158 to extend away from some othersurface of the claw or grab hook, such as the sidewall 170. Theillustrated configurations, however, may be particularly advantageous interms of facilitating the passage of the claw or grab hook 156, 162through a slot defined in the frame of a vehicle or the like.

Furthermore, while the claw or grab hooks 156 and 162 of FIGS. 55 and 56are shown as being used in combination with a universal chain tie downassembly, it should be understood that a chain takeup device modified toincorporate a T-hook formation may be used in other chain tie downassemblies and in other contexts in which a conventional chain takeupdevice would be used.

During use of any chain tie down assembly, vibration of the flatcarduring transport may cause rotation of a tensioning member, such as thetensioning rod of a universal chain tie down assembly according to thepresent disclosure. Rotation of the tensioning member may decrease thedegree of tension in the chain tie down assembly, which is to be avoidedto ensure that a load is adequately secured. Accordingly, a chain tiedown assembly (which may be either a universal chain tie down assemblyaccording to the present disclosure or some other chain tie downassembly having an elongated tensioning member that is configured to berotated about its central axis to vary the tension in the chain tie downassembly) may be provided with a tension lock or anti-vibrationassembly. As will be described in greater detail herein, such a tensionlock assembly may be variously configured, but is configured to be movedbetween an unlocked condition allowing rotation of a tensioning memberand a locked condition preventing rotation of the tensioning member.Subsequently, the tension lock assembly may be disengaged to allowintentional rotation of the tensioning member.

FIGS. 57-59 illustrate one embodiment of such a tension lock assembly182. The tension lock assembly 182 is shown as being associated with thehub 68 and the tool attachment portion 62 of the tensioning rod 58 of auniversal chain tie down assembly 10 according to FIG. 1 . FIG. 57 showsthe tension lock assembly 182 in an unlocked condition, while FIG. 58shows it in an intermediate condition and FIG. 59 shows it in a lockedcondition. The tension lock assembly 182 may be analogized to a slidinglock (e.g., of a door), with first and second supports 184 and 186secured to the hub 68. A rod 188 having a radially extending stop 190 ismovably and rotatably received by aligned holes defined in the supports184 and 186. The hub 68 further includes a barrier 192 positionedbetween the supports 184 and 186, with the gaps between the barrier 192and adjacent supports 184 and 186 being sufficiently sized to allowreceipt of the stop 190 (see FIGS. 57 and 59 ).

The tool attachment portion 62 of the tensioning rod 58 is provided witha disc 194 defining a plurality of longitudinal openings 196 spacedoutwardly of the perimeter of the tool attachment portion 62. Theopenings 196 are sufficiently sized so as to receive a proximal end ofthe rod 188 when the tension lock assembly 182 is in its lockedcondition (FIG. 59 ).

In use, the rod 188 is oriented so as to position the stop 190 betweenthe barrier 192 and the first support 184 (i.e., in the unlockedcondition of FIG. 57 ). The chain tie down assembly is used to secure aload, including rotating the tensioning rod 158 to increase the tensionin the chain tie down assembly. When an appropriate level of tension hasbeen imparted to the chain tie down assembly, the rod 188 is rotatedabout its central axis to clear the stop 190 of the barrier 192, as inFIG. 58 . The rod 188 is then moved proximally toward the toolattachment portion 62 so as to advance a proximal end of the rod 188through an aligned opening 196 of the disc 194. If there is no opening196 aligned with the rod 188, the tool attachment portion 62 may berotated a small amount to bring one of the openings 196 into alignmentwith the rod 188.

With the proximal end of the rod 188 received by an opening 196 of thedisc 194, the rod 188 may be rotated about its central axis to positionthe stop 190 between the second support 186 and the barrier 192, as inthe locked condition of FIG. 59 . In such a condition, the presence ofthe proximal end of the rod 188 in an opening 196 of the disc 194prevents relative rotation of the tensioning rod 58 with respect to thehub 68, thus preventing the tensioning rod 58 from rotating due tovibrations. It should be understood that the illustrated disc openings196 are merely exemplary and that the disc 194 may be provided with acomparable formation (e.g., a radial groove extending from the perimeterof the disc 194). Additionally, rather than employing a disc 194, therod 188 may instead engage the tool attachment portion 62 itself (e.g.,being received in a longitudinal groove defined in the tool attachmentportion 62 or directly contacting a flat face of the tool attachmentportion 62) to prevent unintended rotation of the tensioning rod 58.

The tension lock assembly 182 may include additional components, such asspring clips 198 configured to receive and secure the stop 190 when itis positioned between the barrier 192 and one of the supports 184, 186.The rod 188 may further be provided with a positive locking feature 200(shown in FIG. 59 as a ball detent, but otherwise configurable, such asa hairpin), which also serves to prevent movement of the rod 188 out ofthe locked condition. These features may be employed individually or inany combination.

A spring may also be provided to bias the rod 188 to its proximal orlocked condition to prevent movement of the rod 188 out of the lockedcondition, as shown in FIGS. 60 and 61 . The tension lock assembly 183of FIGS. 60 and 61 is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 57-59 ,including a rod 188 having an associated stop 190 and a disc 194 havinga plurality of openings 196 configured to receive a proximal end of therod 188. A portion of the rod 188 is received within a support 185(which may be considered to be a portion or formation of the hub 68) forlongitudinal and rotational movement between an unlocked condition inwhich the stop 190 is positioned distally of a barrier 192, with theentire rod 188 positioned distally of the disc 194 (FIG. 60 ) and alocked condition in which the stop 190 is positioned proximally of thebarrier 192, with a proximal portion 187 of the rod 188 received by analigned opening 196 of the disc 194 (FIG. 61 ).

The support 185 defines an elongated chamber or cavity receiving thespring 189, which is coiled around a distal portion 191 of the rod 188.The proximal portion 187 of the rod 188 has a larger diameter than thedistal portion 191 of the rod 188, with the spring 189 being trappedbetween the proximal portion 187 of the rod 188 and a distal end of thesupport chamber. By such a configuration, the ends of the spring 189press against the proximal portion 187 of the rod 188 and the distal endof the support chamber, which biases the rod 188 to the locked conditionof FIG. 61 .

The stop 190 is gripped and moved distally to compress the spring 189and move the rod 188 toward the locked condition of FIG. 60 . Once thestop 190 has cleared the barrier 192, the rod 188 may be rotated aboutits central axis toward the barrier 192 to position the stop 190 behindthe barrier 192, which retains the rod 188 in the unlocked condition ofFIG. 60 . Rotation of the rod 188 about its central axis in the oppositedirection will move the stop 190 out from behind the barrier 192, thusallowing the spring 189 to expand and move the rod 188 back to thelocked condition of FIG. 61 .

FIGS. 62 and 63 show another embodiment of a tension lock assembly 202.The tension lock assembly 202 is shown as being associated with the hub68 and the tool attachment portion 62 of the tensioning rod 58 of auniversal chain tie down assembly 10 according to FIG. 1 . FIG. 62 showsthe tension lock assembly 202 in an unlocked condition, while FIG. 63shows it in a locked condition. The tension lock assembly 202 includes apivot 204 secured to the hub 68, with the slot 206 of a locking plate208 receiving the pivot 204. The slot 206 allows the locking plate 208to be rotated (and optionally slid) with respect to the pivot 204.

A proximal end of the locking plate 208 includes a downwardly extendingprotrusion 210 and may also include an upwardly extending handle 212configured to allow a user to manipulate the locking plate 208(including bending the proximal end of the locking plate 208 upwardly).The tool attachment portion 62 defines a plurality of openings 214spaced along its perimeter, with each being sized and configured toreceive the protrusion 210 of the locking plate 208 (when the two arealigned).

In use, the locking plate 208 is oriented so as to position its proximalend away from the tool attachment portion 62 (i.e., in the unlockedcondition of FIG. 62 ). The chain tie down assembly is used to secure aload, including rotating the tensioning rod 58 to increase the tensionin the chain tie down assembly. When an appropriate level of tension hasbeen imparted to the chain tie down assembly, the locking plate 208 isrotated about the pivot 204 to align the protrusion 210 and one of theopenings 214 of the tool attachment portion 62, which causes theprotrusion 210 to move into the aligned opening 214, as in the lockedcondition of FIG. 63 . As necessary, the handle 212 may be manipulatedto lift the proximal end of the locking plate 208 while aligning theprotrusion 210 and the opening 214, with the locking plate 208 returningto its initial flat configuration upon release of the handle 212. Ifthere is no opening 214 aligned with the protrusion 210, the toolattachment portion 62 may be rotated a small amount to bring one of theopenings 214 into alignment with the protrusion 210. In such acondition, the presence of the protrusion 210 within the opening 214(and, optionally, the flat bottom surface of the locking plate 208bearing against a flat surface of the tool attachment portion 62)prevents relative rotation of the tensioning rod 58 with respect to thehub 68, thus preventing the tensioning rod 58 from rotating due tovibrations.

FIGS. 64-67 show another embodiment of a tension lock assembly 216. Aretainer 218 of the tension lock assembly 216 (shown in greater detailin FIG. 65 ) defines an opening 220 (which extends entirely through theretainer 218) and a cavity or recess 222 (which is open at a proximalsurface of the retainer 218 and closed at a distal surface). The opening220 is rotatably received on one of the arms of the chain tie downassembly to allow the retainer 218 to be rotated between an unlockedcondition (FIG. 64 ) and an intermediate condition (FIG. 66 ). Theretainer 218 is also movable along at least a portion of the length ofthe associated arm, which allows for movement of the retainer 218between the intermediate condition of FIG. 66 and the locked conditionof FIG. 67 .

The cavity 222 includes at least one longitudinal notch 224 extendingradially inwardly toward the central axis of the cavity 222. Theperimeter of an end stop 226 of a tensioning member 228 defines at leastone longitudinal groove 230 that is complementarily configured withrespect to the notch 224 of the cavity 222 of the retainer 218. In theillustrated embodiment, the cavity 222 includes four notches 224 spacedevenly apart along the perimeter of the cavity 222, while the end stop226 defines four grooves 230 each sized and configured to receive adifferent one of the notches 224 of the cavity 222 of the retainer 218(as in FIGS. 66 and 67 ). If a plurality of notches 224 and grooves 230are provided, it may be advantageous for them to be identicallyconfigured to facilitate alignment of the notches 224 and grooves 230.

In use, the retainer 218 is oriented so as to position the cavity 222out of alignment with the end stop 226 of the tensioning member 228.(i.e., in the unlocked condition of FIG. 64 ). The chain tie downassembly is used to secure a load, including rotating the tensioningmember 228 to increase the tension in the chain tie down assembly. Whenan appropriate level of tension has been imparted to the chain tie downassembly, the retainer 218 is rotated about the associated arm to alignthe cavity 222 and the end stop 226 (as in FIG. 66 ). The retainer 218is then moved proximally along the associated arm to slide the end stop226 into the cavity 222 of the retainer 218, with the notches 224 of thesecond opening 222 being received in the aligned grooves 230 (as in thelocked condition of FIG. 67 ). If the grooves 230 are not aligned withthe notches 224, the tensioning member 228 may be rotated a small amountto bring the grooves 230 into alignment with the notches 224. In such acondition, the presence of the notches 224 within the grooves 230prevents rotation of the end stop 230, thus preventing the tensioningmember 228 from rotating due to vibrations. Due to the cavity 222extending only partially through the retainer 218, a closed or solidsurface of the retainer 218 positioned distally of the cavity 222 willcontact a distal end of the end stop 226 or tensioning member 228 toprevent the retainer 218 from moving proximally beyond the end stop 226.

FIGS. 68 and 69 show another embodiment of a tension lock assembly 232.The tension lock assembly 232 is shown as being associated with the hub68 of a universal chain tie down assembly 10 according to FIG. 1 . FIG.68 shows the tension lock assembly 232 in an unlocked condition, whileFIG. 69 shows it in a locked condition. The tension lock assembly 232includes a clip 234 configured similarly to a pair of tongs, with a pairof arms 236 extending away from a pivot end 238. The clip 234 is shownas a unitary or monolithically formed component, comprising a piece ofmetal bent or otherwise formed into the illustrated configuration. Freeends of the arms 236 are biased toward each other, with the clip 234being sufficiently deformable that the arms 236 may be temporarily movedaway from each other before resiliently moving back toward each otherupon removal of the separating force. The free ends may each include ahandle 240 configured to allow for manipulation of the clip 234.

The clip 234 is mounted onto the hub 68, with the pivot end 238positioned distally of the hub 68 and the free ends of the arms 236positioned proximally of the hub 68. The clip 234 is proximally movablefrom the unlocked condition of FIG. 68 to the locked condition of FIG.69 . In the locked condition, flat inner surfaces of the arms 236 of theclip 234 overlay opposing flat surfaces of the tool attachment portion62 of the tensioning rod 58, which prevents rotation of the toolattachment portion 62. If there are no flat surfaces of the toolattachment portion 62 aligned with the flat inner surfaces of the arms236 when the tensioning rod 58 has been rotated to impart the properamount of tension in the chain tie down assembly, the tensioning rod 58may be rotated a small amount to bring the flat surfaces of the toolattachment portion 62 into alignment with the flat inner surfaces of thearms 236 of the clip 234.

The handles 240 of the clip 234 may be provided with proximal and distalinclined surfaces 242 and 244. The proximal inclined surface 244 mayengage a distal end of the tool attachment portion 62 when the clip 234is moved proximally, with contact between the tool attachment portion 62and the proximal inclined surface 242 causing the arms 236 of the clip234 to resiliently spread apart, which allows the handles 236 to clearthe tool attachment portion 62 as the clip 234 is moved proximally fromthe unlocked condition to the locked condition. The distal inclinedsurface 244 bears against a proximal end of the tool attachment portion62 when the handles 240 have fully cleared the tool attachment portion62 and the arms 236 bend back toward each other, which may help toprevent dissociation of the clip 234 from the tool attachment portion62.

FIGS. 68 and 69 show the clip 234 with the pivot end 238 positioneddistally of the hub 68 and the arms 236 extending in a proximaldirection. However, in another embodiment, the orientation of the clip234 may be reversed, with the pivot end 238 positioned proximally of thearms 236. In such a configuration, the clip 234 may be mounted onto thecannon instead of the hub 68, with the clip 234 being moved distally toengage the arms 236 of the clip 234 to the tool attachment portion 62.

FIG. 70 shows another embodiment of a tension lock assembly 246, in alocked condition. The tension lock assembly 246 includes a jam nut orlocknut 248 associated with a threaded portion 250 of the tensioningmember 252 (e.g., the threaded proximal portion of a tensioning rod ofthe type described herein) of a chain tie down assembly. The jam nut 248may be rotated to advance it along the threaded portion 250 of thetensioning member 252 and into contact with a stationary component ofthe chain tie down assembly (e.g., the cannon of a universal chain tiedown assembly according to the present disclosure). With the jam nut 248so positioned, the tensioning member 252 cannot be rotated, thuspreventing inadvertent rotation of the tensioning member 252 due tovibrations. In one embodiment, the tension lock assembly 246 may includea lock washer 254 configured to be positioned between the jam nut 248and the stationary surface toward which the jam nut 248 is advanced tolock the tensioning member 252 in place, with the jam nut 248 pressingthe lock washer 254 against the stationary surface, rather than the jamnut 248 itself bearing against the stationary surface.

FIGS. 71 and 72 show another embodiment of a tension lock assembly 256according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The tension lockassembly 256 may be understood as a variation of the tension lockassembly 216 of FIGS. 64-67 , with a retainer 258 that is associatedwith both arms 260 and 262 of the chain tie down assembly instead ofbeing associated with a single arm. To that end, the retainer 258 ofFIGS. 71 and 72 includes a pair of lateral openings 264 (which extendentirely through the retainer 258) and a central cavity or recess 266(which is open at a proximal surface of the retainer 218 and closed at adistal surface). Each lateral opening 264 is movably mounted to adifferent one of the arms 260, 262, with the central cavity 266 inalignment with the end stop 268 of a tensioning member 270.

The central cavity 266 includes at least one longitudinal notch 272extending radially inwardly toward the central axis of the centralcavity 266. The perimeter of the end stop 268 of the tensioning member270 defines at least one longitudinal groove 274 that is complementarilyconfigured with respect to the notch 272 of the central cavity 266 ofthe retainer 258. In the illustrated embodiment, the notch 272 isassociated with the central cavity 266, while the groove 274 isassociated with the end stop 268, but it is within the scope of thepresent disclosure for the notch 272 to be associated with the end stop268 and the groove 274 to be associated with the central cavity 266.This is also true of the notches 224 and grooves 230 of the retainer 218of FIGS. 64-67 .

In use, the retainer 258 is positioned distally of the end stop 268 ofthe tensioning member 270. (i.e., in the unlocked condition of FIG. 71). The chain tie down assembly is used to secure a load, includingrotating the tensioning member 270 to increase the tension in the chaintie down assembly. When an appropriate level of tension has beenimparted to the chain tie down assembly, the retainer 258 is movedproximally along the associated arms 260 and 262 to slide the end stop268 into the central cavity 266 of the retainer 258, with the notches272 of the central opening 266 being received in the aligned grooves 274(as in the locked condition of FIG. 72 ). If the grooves 274 are notaligned with the notches 272, the tensioning member 270 may be rotated asmall amount to bring the grooves 274 into alignment with the notches272. In such a condition, the presence of the notches 272 within thegrooves 274 prevents rotation of the end stop 268, thus preventing thetensioning member 270 from rotating due to vibrations. Due to thecentral cavity 266 extending only partially through the retainer 258, aclosed or solid surface of the retainer 258 positioned distally of thecentral cavity 266 will contact a distal end of the end stop 268 ortensioning member 270 to prevent the retainer 218 from moving proximallybeyond the end stop 268.

FIGS. 73 and 74 show another embodiment of a tension lock assembly 276according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The tension lockassembly 276 may be understood as a variation of the tension lockassembly 256 of FIGS. 71 and 72 , with a retainer 278 that is associatedwith both arms 280 and 282 of a chain tie down assembly. As in theembodiment of FIGS. 71 and 72 , the retainer 278 also includes a centralformation 284, which is configured to be selectively associated to theend stop 286 of a tensioning member 288 to alternately allow and preventrotation of the tensioning member 288, though the formation 284 of FIGS.73 and 74 is configured as an opening passing entirely through theretainer 278, rather than as a cavity.

The embodiment of FIGS. 73 and 74 further includes a proximallyextending spring clip 290 that is associated with the proximal end cap292 of the constant tensioning device 294 of the chain tie down assemblyand aligned with the central opening 284 of the retainer 278. The springclip 290 presents a convex surface to the retainer 278, with a maximumdimension that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the centralopening 284 of the retainer 278. That same dimension at the proximal endof the spring clip 290, however, is less than the correspondingdimension of the central opening 284 of the retainer 278. In theillustrated embodiment, this dimension is the height of the spring clip290, which has a maximum height that is greater than the height of thecentral opening 284 of the retainer 278, but with the height of theproximal end of the spring clip 290 being less than the height of thecentral opening 284. By such a configuration, distal movement of theretainer 278 toward the spring clip 290 allows the proximal end of thespring clip 290 to be received by the central opening 284 of theretainer 278. The spring clip 290 is deformable or flexible in thedimension of interest (i.e., it may be deformed to modify its maximumheight in the illustrated embodiment), such that continued movement ofthe retainer 278 toward the spring clip 290 will cause the spring clip290 to be deformed by contact with the central opening 284 of theretainer 278, which reduces the maximum height to a sufficient degreethat the spring clip 290 is able to move more fully through the centralopening 284. In the illustrated embodiment one or both of the upper andlower distal ends of the spring clip 290 may be movable with respect tothe proximal end cap 292 (e.g., by being slidably received in a grooveor slot) to facilitate this deformation.

The portion of the spring clip 290 distal the point of maximum dimension(i.e., height, in the illustrated embodiment) may be smaller in thatdimension, such that continued distal movement of the retainer 278 withrespect to the spring clip 290 will allow the point of maximum dimensionto return toward its initial configuration (if not all the way to itsinitial configuration), as in the stored condition of FIG. 74 . With thepoint of maximum dimension of the spring clip 290 positioned proximallyof the retainer 278, the retainer 278 is not readily disengaged from thespring clip 290, which holds the retainer 278 in place during torqueingof the tensioning member 288 (whereas the retainer 278 may be free toslide proximally toward the tensioning member 288 if otherwiseunrestrained). After the tensioning member 288 has been sufficientlytorqued, the retainer 278 may be moved proximally with respect to thespring clip 290 (to deform the spring clip 290 and free the retainer 278of the spring clip 290) to the unlocked condition of FIG. 73 and thenfurther proximally into locking relationship with the end stop 286 ofthe tensioning member 288 (as described above with respect to theembodiment of FIGS. 71 and 72 ). In a preferred embodiment, the end stop286 may include a spring clip that is a mirror image of (or at leastsimilarly configured to) the spring clip 290 associated with theproximal end cap 292 of the constant tensioning device 294, with theretainer 278 being moved proximally toward the spring clip of the endstop 286 to become temporarily secured thereto in a locked condition,thus reducing the likelihood of the retainer 278 becoming disengagedfrom the tensioning member 288.

FIGS. 75-79 show another embodiment of a tension lock assembly 296according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The tension lockassembly 296 may be understood as another variation of the tension lockassembly 256 of FIGS. 71 and 72 , with a retainer 298 (FIGS. 76 and 77 )that is associated with both arms 300 and 302 of the chain tie downassembly. As described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 71and 72 , the retainer 298 also includes a central cavity 304, which isconfigured to be selectively associated to the end stop 306 of atensioning member 308 to alternately allow and prevent rotation of thetensioning member 308.

The retainer 298 of FIGS. 75-79 further includes at least one springclip 310 pivotally connected to a distal end of the retainer 298 toallow movement of the spring clip 310 between the closed condition ofFIG. 70 and the open condition of FIG. 77 . FIGS. 75-79 show a retainer298 having upper and lower spring clips 310 and 312 (which may beidentically configured), but it should be understood that the retainer298 may have only a single spring clip.

Similar to the spring clip 290 associated with the proximal end cap 292of FIGS. 73 and 74 , the spring clip 310, 312 prevents the retainer 298from sliding proximally toward the end stop 306 of the tensioning member308 and unintentionally engaging the end stop 306. This is achieved byproviding the proximal end of the spring clip 310, 312 with a tab 314that extends radially inwardly toward the central axis of the centralcavity 304 and overlays a portion of the central cavity 304. By such aconfiguration, proximal movement of the retainer 298 with respect to thetensioning member 308 with the spring clip 310, 312 in its closedcondition of FIG. 76 will cause the tab 314 to contact the distal end ofthe end stop 306 of the tensioning member 308, thus preventing theretainer 298 from unintentionally sliding into engagement with the endstop 306.

When it becomes desirable for the retainer 298 to move to its lockedcondition (FIG. 79 ), the spring clip 310, 312 is moved from its closedcondition to its open condition (FIGS. 77 and 78 ), which allows forproximal movement of the retainer 298 without the tab 314 engaging theend stop 306 of the tensioning member 308. The spring clip 310, 312 mayinclude a handle 316 that may be manipulated to cause the spring clip310, 312 to pivot about its distal end to move from the closed conditionto the open condition. In the illustrated embodiment, in which theretainer 298 has upper and lower spring clips 310 and 312, the handles316 of the two spring clips 310 and 312 may be pinched toward each otherto simultaneously pivot both spring clips 310 and 312 to their opencondition. When the retainer 298 has been properly positioned on the endstop 306, the spring clips 310 and 312 may be returned to their closedcondition, with the tab 314 positioned distally of the end stop 306 (asin FIG. 79 ), to lock the end stop 306 and prevent rotation of thetensioning member 308 (as described above with respect to the embodimentof FIGS. 71 and 72 ).

FIG. 80 illustrates another principle that may be employed as a tensionlock feature. FIG. 80 shows a seven tethers 318 a-318 g that are eachassociated with a portion of an elongated, rotatable tensioning member320 (or a component of a chain tie down assembly that is rotatable withthe tensioning member 320) and a portion of another component that isstationary or otherwise non-rotatable with the tensioning member 320. Bysuch a configuration, any tendency of the tensioning member 320 torotate due to vibrations will be prevented by an associated tether beingsecured to a portion of the chain tie down assembly that does not havethe tendency to rotate with the tensioning member 320 due to vibrations.While FIG. 80 shows a chain tie down assembly that is similar to thetype shown in FIGS. 57-59 (including the tension lock assembly 182), itshould be understood that the principle illustrated in FIG. 80 may beapplied to differently configured chain tie down assemblies.Furthermore, while FIG. 80 shows seven different tethers 318 a-318 g, itshould be understood that a single tether may be sufficient to preventvibration-induced rotation of a tensioning member 320, while it is alsowithin the scope of the present disclosure for any two or more tethers318 a-318 g to be used in combination with each other. The tethers 318a-318 g may also be used in combination with some other tension lockassembly (e.g., the tension lock assembly 182 shown in FIG. 80 ) toprovide an auxiliary or back-up tension lock feature. Additionally, thetethers 318 a-318 g may be variously configured without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure, such as comprising twist ties orbeing defined by metal wire or the like.

Considering now the individual tethers, tether 318 a is secured to asupport 322 of the turret 324 (with a loop of the tether 318 a passingthrough a hole in the support 322) and to the disc 326 associated withthe tool attachment portion 328 of the tensioning member 320 (with asecond loop of the tether 318 a passing through an opening of the disc326). The disc 326 (if the tension lock assembly 182 is not in thelocked condition of FIG. 59 ) is free to rotate with the tensioningmember 320, while the turret 324 will not rotate with the tensioningmember 320. Thus, so associating the rotatable disc 326 with the turret324 via the tether 318 a effectively prevents the disc 326 andtensioning member 320 from rotating due to vibrations.

Similar to tether 318 a, tether 318 b has a loop passing through anopening of the disc 326 associated with the tool attachment portion 328of the tensioning member 320. The other loop of the tether 318 b passesthrough a hole in a support 330 of the anchor base 332. The disc 326 (ifthe tension lock assembly 182 is not in the locked condition of FIG. 59) is free to rotate with the tensioning member 320, while the anchorbase 332 will not rotate with the tensioning member 320. Thus, soassociating the rotatable disc 326 with the anchor base 332 via thetether 318 b effectively prevents the disc 326 and tensioning member 320from rotating due to vibrations.

Tether 318 c is a third tether having a loop passing through an openingof the disc 326 associated with the tool attachment portion 328 of thetensioning member 320. The other loop of the tether 318 c passes througha hole in a support 334 of the cannon 336. The disc 326 (if the tensionlock assembly 182 is not in the locked condition of FIG. 59 ) is free torotate with the tensioning member 320, while the cannon 336 will notrotate with the tensioning member 320. Thus, so associating therotatable disc 326 with the cannon 336 via the tether 318 c effectivelyprevents the disc 326 and tensioning member 320 from rotating due tovibrations.

Similar to tether 318 c, tether 318 d has a loop passing through a holein the support 334 of the cannon 336. Rather than being secured to thedisc 326 of the tension lock assembly 182, the tether 318 d instead hasa loop passing through a hole in a support 338 of a portion of thetension lock assembly 182 associated with the hub (not visible). Tether318 e also has a loop passing through the hole of the same support 338,but instead has a second loop passing through an opening of the disc 326associated with the tool attachment portion 328 of the tensioning member320.

Tether 318 f is secured to yet another portion of the tension lockassembly 182, with a loop passing through a hole passing through theproximal end of the rod 188 of the tension lock assembly 182. The holeis only accessible when the rod 188 is in its locked condition, so thetether 318 f (which has a second loop passing through a hole defined inthe tool attachment portion 328 of the tensioning member 320) may beconsidered as a mechanism for preventing unintentional movement of thetension lock assembly 182 from its locked condition to its unlockedcondition.

Finally, tether 318 g has a loop around one of the arms 340 and a secondloop passing through a hole defined in the end stop 342 of thetensioning member 320. It should be understood that the illustratedtethers 318 a-318 g of FIG. 80 are merely exemplary and that differentlyconfigured tethers (such as an illustrated tether having a loop securedto a different support or structure) may also be employed withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 81-83 show another embodiment of a tension lock assembly 344. Thetension lock assembly 344 of FIGS. 81-83 has a modified cannon 346 (FIG.82 ). As in the other embodiments described herein, the cannon 346includes an internally threaded bore 348 receiving an externallythreaded proximal portion 350 of a tensioning rod or member 352. Thecannon 346 has a relatively short bore 348, which is oriented parallelto (rather than coaxial with) a body 354 of the cannon 346, which ispivotally connected to an associated turret 356. Rather than theproximal end of the tensioning rod or member 352 having an associatedretaining pin, there is instead an end stop 358 associated with theproximal end or proximal portion of the tensioning rod or member 352.The end stop 358 may be configured similarly to the end stop 226 of FIG.64 , with a plurality of longitudinal grooves 360 spaced along its outerperimeter.

The tension lock assembly 344 further includes a retainer 362 having adistal end pivotally connected to the upper portion of the cannon 346(i.e., the portion in which the bore 348 is defined). The retainer 362is configured as a downwardly facing channel having a pair of legs 364each having a longitudinal notch 366 extending toward the opposing leg364. In an unlocked condition (FIG. 81 ), the retainer 362 is pivotallyupwardly out of engagement with the end stop 358, which allows thetensioning member or rod 352 to be rotated to adjust the tension in thechain tie down assembly. When an appropriate level of tension has beenapplied to the chain tie down assembly, the retainer 362 is pivoteddownwardly to position the notches 366 within aligned grooves 360 of theend stop 358. If there are no grooves 360 aligned with the notches 366,the tensioning member or rod 352 may be rotated a small amount toproperly orient the grooves 360 of the end stop 358. The legs 364 areconfigured to deform outwardly when the retainer 362 is pivoteddownwardly into contact with the end stop 358. When the notches 366 arein the vicinity of the grooves 360, the legs 364 resiliently deform backtoward each other to seat the notches 366 within the grooves 360. Withthe tension lock assembly 344 in the locked condition of FIG. 83 , theretainer 362 prevents rotation of the end stop 358, thus preventingvibration-induced rotation of the tensioning member or rod 352.

FIGS. 84-86 show a variation of the tension lock assembly 344 of FIGS.81-83 . The tension lock assembly 368 of FIGS. 84-86 differs from thetension lock assembly 344 of FIGS. 81-83 to the extent that it has adifferently configured end stop 370 and retainer 372. In the embodimentof FIGS. 84-86 , the end stop 370 omits grooves, but instead has atleast one of pair of opposing, outwardly facing flat surfaces 374. Theillustrated end stop 370 includes six such surfaces 374 (i.e., threepairs of opposing surfaces 374), which may be advantageous to providemore surfaces that can possibly be engaged by the associated retainer372, as will be described in greater detail herein.

As for the retainer 372 (which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 85 ),it differs from the retainer 362 of FIGS. 81-83 by having flat,substantially parallel legs 376. The legs 376 are not intended to deformduring movement of the retainer 372 between its unlocked (FIG. 84 ) andlocked (FIG. 86 ) conditions, so they be more solidly constructed thanthe legs 364 of the retainer 362 of FIGS. 81-83 .

In the unlocked condition (FIG. 84 ), the retainer 372 is pivotallyupwardly out of engagement with the end stop 370, which allows thetensioning member or rod 352 to be rotated to adjust the tension in thechain tie down assembly. When an appropriate level of tension has beenapplied to the chain tie down assembly, the retainer 372 is pivoteddownwardly to overlay opposing surfaces 374 of the end stop 370 with thelegs 376 of the retainer 372 (FIG. 86 ). If there are no surfaces 374 ofthe end stop 370 that are aligned with the flat surfaces of the legs 376of the retainer 372, the tensioning member or rod 352 may be rotated asmall amount to more properly orient the end stop 374. With the tensionlock assembly 368 in the locked condition of FIG. 86 , the retainer 372prevents rotation of the end stop 370, thus preventing vibration-inducedrotation of the tensioning member or rod 352. As the legs 376 do notactively engage the end stop 370 (as in the embodiment of FIGS. 81-83 ),the retainer 372 may be provided with a spring clip 378 (FIG. 85 ),which resiliently deforms to engage the tensioning member or rod 352 inthe locked condition and prevent unintended dissociation of the retainer372 from the tensioning member or rod 352.

In addition to being desirable to avoid vibration-induced rotation ofthe tensioning member or rod, it is similarly desirable to avoidvibration-induced disengagement of the anchor locks 22 of an anchor base12, as described above. In particular, it is possible for an anchor lock22 to experience sufficient vibration that it moves from its lockedcondition (FIG. 7 ) to its aligned condition (FIG. 6 ) and then to itsunlocked or misaligned condition (FIG. 5 ). An associated anti-vibrationassembly may be variously configured (as in FIGS. 87-104 ) andconfigured to be moved between an unlocked condition allowinglongitudinal movement and rotation of the rod 30 of the anchor lock 22and a locked condition preventing longitudinal movement and/or rotationof the rod 30 to prevent the stop 32 associated with the rod 30 frombeing moved out of alignment with the associated slot 34 defined in thebody 14 of the anchor base 12. The anti-vibration assembly may then bedisengaged to allow for intentional movement of the anchor lock 22 toits unlocked condition.

A first embodiment of such an anti-vibration assembly 380 is shown inFIG. 87 . In the embodiment of FIG. 87 , one of the supports 382(preferably, the one adjacent to the slot 34) is provided with avertical bore 384. A modified rod 386 includes a bore 388 configured toalign with the bore 384 of the support 382 when the anchor lock 22 is inthe illustrated locked condition. With the bores 384 and 388 so aligned,a pin 390 is inserted into the aligned bores 384 and 388, which preventslongitudinal movement and rotation of the rod 386, thus retaining theanchor lock 22 in its locked condition. The pin 390 may be removable ormay be spring-loaded to the position of FIG. 87 . If the pin 390 isspring-loaded, it must first be moved upwardly to allow for longitudinalmovement of the rod 386 (from its unlocked condition to its alignedcondition) and subsequent rotational movement of the rod 386 (from itsaligned condition to its locked condition), with the pin 390 springingback downwardly to the position of FIG. 87 when the rod 386 has beenproperly positioned. While FIG. 87 shows a bore 388 extending entirelythrough the rod 386, it is also within the scope of the presentdisclosure for the bore 388 to extend only partially through the rod386, in which case a bottom end of the pin 390 will be positioned withinthe bore 388 of the rod 386 in the locked condition of FIG. 87 , ratherthan extending entirely through the bore 388, to be received by a lowerportion of the bore 384 of the support 382.

FIGS. 88-90 show another embodiment of an anti-vibration assembly 392for an anchor lock 22. One of the supports 394 is modified toaccommodate a vertical pivot pin 396, with a bar 398 rotatablyassociated with the pivot pin 396. In an unlocked condition (FIG. 88 ),the bar 398 is pivoted away from the other support 400 of the anchorlock 22, which may include being held in position by a barrier 402defined by the support 394. After the anchor lock 22 has been moved toits locked condition, the bar 398 may be pivoted from its unlockedcondition toward the other support 400. If a barrier 402 is provided,this may include moving the bar 398 vertically to clear the barrier 402before pivoting the bar 398 toward the other support 400, as shown inFIG. 89 .

The bar 398 is further pivoted about the pivot pin 396 until it is inthe vicinity of the other support 400, as in FIG. 90 . The other support400 may define an upper channel or groove 404 in which the free end ofthe bar 398 is received to retain the bar 398 in the locked condition ofFIG. 90 . With the anti-vibration assembly 392 in the locked conditionof FIG. 90 , rotation of the rod 30 of the anchor lock 22 is limited bycontact between the bar 398 and the stop 32 associated with the rod 30.By so limiting the rotation of the rod 30, the stop 32 cannot be fullyrotated out of the slot 34, thus preventing the anchor lock 22 frombeing moved from its locked condition to its aligned or unlockedconditions.

FIG. 91 shows a variation of the anti-vibration assembly 392 of FIGS.88-90 . The anti-vibration assembly 406 of FIG. 91 has a modified bar408, which is not long enough to reach the other support 400 in itsillustrated locked condition. Instead, the bar 408 is short enough toallow the rod 30 of the anchor lock 22 to be rotated to the point thatthe associated stop 32 is rotated out of the slot 34 (i.e., to move fromthe locked condition to the aligned condition), but long enough toprevent longitudinal movement of the rod 30 from the aligned conditionto the unlocked condition. The anchor lock 22 is capable of retainingthe anchor base 12 in proper position with respect to the associatedchannel when in the aligned condition, so it is acceptable for the rod30 to rotate, provided that its stop 32 does not move out of alignmentwith the associated slot 34. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, thefree end of the bar 408 may include an enlarged tab or flange 410configured to interfere with the stop 32 to prevent movement of the stop32 out of alignment with the slot 34.

FIGS. 92-94 illustrate another embodiment an anti-vibration assembly 412for use in combination with an anchor lock 22. The anti-vibrationassembly 412 of FIGS. 92-94 comprises a spring clip 414 having a pair oftabs 416 separated by an arcuate midsection 418. The spring clip 414 isshown in a natural, unlocked condition in FIG. 92 . Free ends of thetabs 416 may be pinched toward each other to move the spring clip 414from the unlocked condition of FIG. 92 to the intermediate condition ofFIG. 93 . In the intermediate condition, the midsection 418 is more openthan in the unlocked condition, which allows the midsection 418 to bemoved onto the rod 30 of the anchor lock 22 when the anchor lock 22 isin its locked condition (FIG. 94 ). With the rod 30 partially positionedwithin the midsection 418 of the spring clip 414, the tabs 416 may bereleased to cause the spring clip 414 to resiliently return toward itsnatural state, thus gripping onto the rod 30 of the anchor lock 22.

The spring clip 414 has a width that may be approximately equal to thedistance between the stop 32 of the anchor lock 22 and the support 24that is spaced from the slot 34, such that the spring clip 414 occupiesthe space between the stop 32 and the support 24, as shown in FIG. 94 .With the spring clip 414 so positioned, the rod 30 may be free to rotate(at least until one of the tabs 416 contacts the body 14 of the anchorbase 12), but cannot move longitudinally or at least cannot movelongitudinally enough so as to move the stop 32 of the anchor lock 22out of alignment with the slot 34, thus preventing the anchor lock 22from becoming inadvertently unlocked.

FIGS. 95-98 show another anti-vibration assembly 420, which includes aclip 422 having a slotted portion 424 and an engagement portion 426. Theslotted portion 424 defines a slot 428 receiving a pin or post 430secured to the body 14 of the anchor base 12, with the engagementportion 426 oriented toward the anchor lock 22. The slot 428 iselongated, allowing the clip 422 to be moved from an unlocked conditionin which the engagement portion 426 is spaced away from the anchor lock22 (FIG. 95 ) to an intermediate condition in which the engagementportion 426 is closer to the anchor lock 22 (FIG. 96 ) and, finally, toa locked condition in which the engagement portion 426 is mounted to therod 30 of the anchor lock 22 (FIGS. 97 and 98 ).

The elongated clip 422 is aligned with the gap between the slot 34defined in the anchor base 12 and the support 24 that is spaced from theslot 34. The configuration of the engagement portion 426 of the clip 422may vary, depending on the configuration of the associated anchor lock22 and the position of the clip 422 with respect to the anchor lock 22,but is shown as being generally arcuate in the illustrated embodiment.To mount the engagement portion 426 of the clip 422 to the rod 30, theengagement portion 426 is deformed or lifted upwardly to allow it toclear the rod 30 (FIG. 96 ), followed by the engagement portion 426being released to allow it to resiliently return toward its naturalstate (FIG. 95 ), thereby gripping the rod 30 in the space between thestop 32 and the farther support 24 (FIG. 97 ). The engagement portion426 of the clip 422 may be provided with a handle 432 for improvedhandling of the engagement portion 426.

The engagement portion 426 of the clip 422 has a width that may beapproximately equal to the distance between the slot 34 defined in theanchor body 14 and the support 24 that is farther from the slot 34, suchthat the engagement portion 426 occupies the space between the stop 32and the support 24, as shown in FIG. 97 . With the spring clip 422 sopositioned, the rod 30 may be free to rotate the stop 32 out of the slot34 (FIG. 98 ), but cannot move longitudinally or at least cannot movelongitudinally enough so as to move the stop 32 of the anchor lock 22out of alignment with the slot 34, thus preventing the anchor lock 22from becoming inadvertently unlocked.

FIG. 99-101 show another embodiment of an anti-vibration assembly 434.In the embodiment of FIGS. 99-101 , the anti-vibration assembly 434includes a coil spring 436 mounted on the rod 30 of the anchor lock 22,positioned between the stop 32 and the support 24 that is farther fromthe slot 34. The spring 436 must be compressed to move the stop 32 outof alignment with the slot 34, to the unlocked condition of the anchorlock 22 (FIG. 99 ). If a compressive force is not so applied to thespring 436, it will bias the stop 32 toward the other support 26 andinto alignment with the slot 34 (as in FIG. 100 ), where it may berotated into the slot 34 (as in FIG. 101 ). The spring 436 thus preventsthe stop 32 from inadvertently being moved out of alignment with theslot 34 due to vibrations.

FIG. 102 shows an embodiment of an anti-vibration assembly 438 employinga spring detent 440 mounted within a bore 442 of the support 444 of theanchor base 12 positioned adjacent to the slot 34. The bore 442 is shownas being vertically oriented, but it may be differently oriented (e.g.,horizontal or at an angle between vertical and horizontal), providedthat it is generally radially oriented with respect to the rod 446 ofthe anchor lock 22. The portion of the rod 446 configured to be movedthrough the support 444 includes a perimeter groove 448 configured toreceive the bottom end of the ball detent 440, which is biased to pressdownwardly against the rod 446. The perimeter groove 448 receives thebottom end of the ball detent 440 when the anchor lock 22 is in itslocked condition (as in FIG. 102 ) or aligned condition. To move theanchor lock 22 to its unlocked condition, the spring force imparted bythe ball detent 440 must be overcome to move the rod 446 longitudinallyand move the ball detent 440 out of the perimeter groove 448, thuspreventing the anchor lock 22 from being unlocked by vibrations.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rod 446 defines a second perimetergroove 450 (spaced farther from the stop 32 than the first perimetergroove 448), which is configured to receive the bottom end of the balldetent 440 when the anchor lock 22 is in its unlocked condition. By sucha configuration, the ball detent 440 cooperates with the second groove450 to prevent inadvertent movement of the anchor lock 446 from itsunlocked condition to its aligned and locked conditions.

Finally, FIGS. 103 and 104 show an embodiment of an anti-vibrationassembly 452 in which the support 454 spaced from the slot 34 isprovided with a vertical bore 456. A plunger 458 is partially receivedwithin the vertical bore 454, with an upper end 460 of the plunger 458positioned outside of the vertical bore 456. When the rod 462 of theanchor lock 22 is in its unlocked condition of FIG. 103 , the lower end464 of the plunger 458 sits upon the rod 462. In the illustratedembodiment, the rod 462 includes a perimeter groove 466 configured toalign with the vertical bore 456 of the support 454 when the anchor lock22 is in the unlocked condition of FIG. 103 . The perimeter groove 466receives the lower end 464 of the plunger 458, which preventslongitudinal movement of the rod 462, thereby retaining the anchor lock22 in the unlocked condition.

When the rod 462 is moved longitudinally from the locked conditiontoward the aligned condition (which may include first raising theplunger 458 out of the perimeter groove 466, if provided), the plunger458 drops downwardly under the force of gravity as soon as the rod 462is clear of the plunger 458. With the plunger 458 in the downwardposition of FIG. 104 , the rod 462 is prevented from moving back to theunlocked condition of FIG. 103 . The rod 462 remains free to rotateabout its central axis but, as described above, the anchor lock 22 willcontinue to secure the anchor base 12 to the associated channel 16 solong as the rod 462 cannot be moved back to the unlocked condition ofFIG. 103 . When it does become desirable to allow such movement of therod 462, the upper end 460 of the plunger 458 is gripped and movedupwardly to move the plunger 458 out of the path of the rod 462, thusallowing the rod 462 to be moved back to the unlocked condition of FIG.103 .

It will be understood that the embodiments and examples described aboveare illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of thepresent subject matter. Numerous modifications may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theclaimed subject matter, including those combinations of features thatare individually disclosed or claimed herein. For these reasons, thescope hereof is not limited to the above description but is as set forthin the following claims, and it is understood that claims may bedirected to the features hereof, including as combinations of featuresthat are individually disclosed or claimed herein.

1-22. (canceled)
 23. An anchor base for a chain tie down assembly,comprising: a body including upwardly extending first and secondsupports, with a slot defined between the first and second supports; andan anchor lock including an elongated rod rotatably received by holesdefined in each of the first and second supports, and a stop associatedwith the rod, wherein the rod is laterally movable with respect to thefirst and second supports to move the stop into and out of alignmentwith the slot, the first support defines an opening extending from asurface of the first support to the hole defined in the first support,and a pin of the anchor lock is movable into and out of the opening,with the pin being configured to selectively engage the first support tolimit or prevent longitudinal movement of the rod.
 24. The anchor baseof claim 23, wherein the rod defines a bore configured to receive aportion of the pin.
 25. The anchor base of claim 24, wherein the bore isoriented perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal central axis ofthe rod.
 26. The anchor base of claim 25, wherein the bore extends atleast partially through the rod.
 27. The anchor base of claim 26,wherein the bore extends only partially through the rod.
 28. The anchorbase of claim 27, wherein the pin includes a bottom end received withinthe bore.
 29. The anchor base of claim 28, wherein the rod is rotatableabout the longitudinal central axis and longitudinally movable so as tomove the bore into and out of alignment with the opening.
 30. The anchorbase of claim 29, wherein the pin is removable from the opening.
 31. Theanchor base of claim 29, wherein the pin is biased towards the holedefined in the first support.
 32. The anchor base of claim 26, whereinthe bore extends entirely through the rod.
 33. The anchor base of claim32, wherein the first support defines a second opening aligned with theopening, with the opening and the second opening being spaced apart bythe hole defined in the first support.
 34. The anchor base of claim 33,wherein the rod is rotatable about the longitudinal central axis andlongitudinally movable so as to move the bore into and out of alignmentwith the opening and the second opening.
 35. The anchor base of claim34, wherein the pin is configured to be received by the opening, thebore, and the second opening when the bore is in alignment with theopening and the second opening.
 36. The anchor base of claim 35, whereinthe pin is removable from the opening.
 37. The anchor base of claim 35,wherein the pin is biased towards the hole defined in the first support.38. The anchor base of claim 23, wherein the first support is positioneddirectly adjacent to the slot.
 39. The anchor base of claim 38, whereinthe first support includes a generally planar, vertically orientedsurface facing the second support and defining a portion of the slot.40. The anchor base of claim 39, wherein first support includes anangled surface extending from said generally planar, vertically orientedsurface to an upper surface of the first support.
 41. The anchor base ofclaim 23, wherein the second support is spaced away from the slot. 42.The anchor base of claim 23, wherein the pin is configured to engage thefirst support when the stop is aligned with the slot so as to limit orprevent longitudinal movement of the rod to prevent the stop from beingmoved out of alignment with the slot.